PRESIDENT John Magufuli receives a report on
the National General Election from the National Electoral Commission
Chairman, Judge (Rtd) Damian Lubuva, at State House in Dar es Salaam on
Thursday. (Photo by Robert Okanda)
Giving his remarks shortly after
receiving the 2015 General Election Report presented by the National
Electoral Commission (NEC), the president said the constitution is of
benefit to Tanzanians.
“Should there be any other matters to be
added, this would be done in the interest of Tanzanians,” the Head of
State said. He praised former President Jakaya Kikwete and his Zanzibar
counterpart, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein for a job well done in connection with
the constitution writing process.
The announcement open-up a new chapter
to the government, politicians and civil society organizations to revive
discussions and civic education campaign over the referendum later to
be held in Tanzania.
NEC Chairman (rtd) Judge Damian Lubuva
had earlier told the president that NEC and ZEC will resume the
referendum process this time around by reviewing the Constitutional
Referendum Act, 2013 which appears to be outdated.
He said that after the reviews are
submitted to the government and subsequently approved by Parliament, NEC
and ZEC would announce the date for the referendum. Judge Lubuva
maintained that NEC had suspended the referendum process pending
unaccomplished voters registration process and the general elections.
The ceremony held at the State House
yesterday was attended by former Presidents Kikwete, Ali Hassan Mwinyi,
Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Zanzibar Vice- President Ambassador
Seif Ali Idd, Zanzibar Chief Justice Omar Makungu and Speaker of the
House of Representatives Zuberi Ali Maulid.
Others were former Prime Ministers Judge
Joseph Sinde Warioba, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, Zanzibar Electoral Chairman
Jecha Salum Jecha and representatives of diplomats. Recalling on the
ended general election, the president said the 2015 elections were quite
challenging and very competitive “but it’s all over now.”
It was the first election conducted
using BVR (Biometric Voter Registration) and critics thought the nation
would fall into a political crisis. “I should sincerely thank the
election secretariat, the former presidents and security organs for
making the election free, fair and peaceful.”
President Magufuli admitted there were
minor hitches during the electoral process but added that these were a
common phenomenon in most polls.
Judge Lubuva told the president the last
year’s elections were peacefully conducted. He said the commission met
its target to register voters by 96.9pc after registering 23.161 million
people out of the planned 23.901 million.
He noted that with the new updated
voter’s register, the commission will from now be updating only eligible
voters and eliminating non eligible voters such as the deceased.
“This report gives an in-depth overview
of last year’s general election from voters’ registration, campaigns,
tallying process to announcement of winners,” he told the president.
However, the Chairman said there were a
number of shortcomings that now need immediate attention. He named lack
of a permanent building for the commission and the need to introduce a
special elections fund as key to its sustainability.
But the President was quick to announce
that his administration will establish the special elections fund to
allow donors and the central government to contribute to the fund on
yearly basis.
The president further directed the
commission to acquire a plot of land in Dodoma where it can build its
headquarters other than the rented building in the city. “I am told you
spend about 1.3bn/- annually to pay rent.
This is inappropriate for a crucial body
such as NEC. I suggest that the 12bn/- I have offered to you be spent
in building your own head offices,” said the president
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