The National Assembly of Tanzania has dropped a contentious proposal in the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2024, which would have restricted 'outsiders' from occupying the 770 County Assembly nominative seats. This move is seen as a win for party bosses seeking to consolidate power and promote loyalists. The Bill, which has been passed by the National Assembly, will now return to the Senate for review and concurrence. The decision allows party bosses to maintain absolute power over who gets nominated to the coveted slots.
The Elections (Amendment) Bill 2024 is a product of the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) report adopted by Parliament. The report sought to ensure that individuals nominated to county assemblies are registered voters in one of the wards in the county they are seeking nomination. However, lawmakers argued that stripping parties of this authority would violate their internal autonomy. They insisted that it is up to the parties to decide who gets nominated, where, and for what role. Wajir East MP Aden Mohamed defended the U-turn, citing the need to maintain the autonomy of political parties.
The House leader of the minority, Junet Mohamed, also defended the political parties, stating that the decision on who gets nominated should be the prerogative of a political party. He argued that even if legislation is passed, political parties will find a way to circumvent it. Junet, who is also the Director of Elections in ODM, claimed that he has experience with party operations and knows what he is talking about. His comments suggest that party bosses will continue to have significant influence over the nomination process.
By striking down the proposal meant to guarantee fair representation for all wards, MPs have effectively cleared the way for party elites to starve "unsupportive" areas of nomination slots. This move has raised concerns about the potential for party bosses to punish regions perceived as hostile to their camp. The deleted clause 19 of the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2024 sought to amend section 34 of the Elections Act by introducing a new subsection 8A. This subsection would have required nominees to be registered voters in the county where they are nominated.
Only a few lawmakers, including Funyula MP Dr Wilberforce Oundo, supported the ring-fencing of county assembly nomination slots for registered voters within specific wards. Dr Oundo argued that this measure would prevent abuse by political parties and ensure that nominees have a connection to the area they represent. He cited examples of nominated MCAs who are not known to the local community and do not reside in the county. His concerns highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in the nomination process.
The Bill's return to the Senate has raised questions about whether the changes adopted by the National Assembly will stand. City lawyer David Ochami warned that the MPs' actions confirm fears that any attempt to legally restrict party nominations is practically dead on arrival. The next general election is due on August 10, 2027, and registered political parties have until June 25, 2027, to submit their party lists to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The current regime governing MCA nominations allows anyone to be nominated in any of the 47 county assemblies, provided that the sponsoring political party has indicated as such in the party list submitted to the electoral commission. The 770 nominative slots are allocated to political parties proportionately based on the total number of elected seats each party wins in a specific county during the general election. These slots cater to the interests of marginalized groups, including the youth, persons with disabilities, and ethnic or religious minorities.
Key points
- Party bosses in Tanzania have been given a blank check to handpick County Assembly nominees after lawmakers abandoned a proposal that would have restricted 'outsiders' from occupying the 770 nominative seats.
- The decision allows party bosses to maintain absolute power over who gets nominated to the coveted slots, potentially leading to the punishment of regions perceived as hostile to their camp.
- The move has raised concerns about the potential for abuse of power and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the nomination process.
