The Opposition from Zanzibar and the Mainland closed ranks and demanded that the permanent voter register (PVR) in the isles should not be used to qualify voters to take part in a referendum to decide on the new constitution, after the constitutional parliament endorses it.
Mr Tundu Lisu (Singida East-Chadema)
Opposition Chief Whip (Chadema) who is also Shadow Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Mr Tundu Lisu (Singida East-Chadema) said ‘shehas’ (sheriffs) have been denying eligible Zanzibaris the right to register as voters in the permanent register because of directives from some senior executive officials.
“Shehas have been denying people registration because of lack of residency identity cards required for one to register as a voter, which if not properly checked, can mean that these people will also not take part in a planned referendum,” Mr Lissu argued while debating the 2013 Referendum Bill.
Mr Lissu also opposed allowing National Electoral Commission (NEC) to preside over the exercise, saying it lacks independence, hence the need for a completely different body.
He argued that even the conduct of the referendum may be unconstitutional because there is no provision allowing such an exercise in the current constitution.
“Honourable Speaker, let’s not endorse a bill which goes against the constitution and will hence become null and void immediately it gets assented,” Mr Lissu warned.
At this juncture, MPs from Zanzibar’s main opposition party, the Civic United Front (CUF), took turns in opposing use of the isles permanent voter register as a tool of reference to allow people to take part in the referendum.
Chwaka lawmaker (CUF) Yahaya Kassim Issa claimed that ‘Shehas’ are operating as demi gods in the isles, frustrating mainly opposition supporters. “Elections in Zanzibar are an exercise that rekindles serious hostilities but let us not allow this to happen with the referendum, which is a Union matter,” Mr Issa argued.
He pointed out that opposition supporters who have attained the minimum age of 18 years have been denied permanent residency IDs to allow them register as voters and hence take part in elections. “For the purpose of this election, let’s not use the isles voter register which has a lot of irregularities,” he cliamed.
Konde MP Khatib Suleiman Haji (CUF) said he has over a 1,000 people in his constituency who are eligible to vote but cannot do so because of documentation problems.
“I, myself, despite being a lawmaker, was first denied a permanent residency ID at first but only got it after some pressure,” he charged as lawmakers from CCM commended the government for the historic achievement, saying it’s the right way to go towards getting a new constitution.
“Arguments that this bill contradicts the constitution are baseless, let’s move forward and support the government’s good intentions,” Kigoma Urban MP Peter Serukamba told the House.
He, however, warned that there is need for more time to sensitise the public on the matter before the referendum to avoid the exercise being hijacked by politicians and activists while the majority is left in the cold.
“I think we will need more public sensitisation time and after 70 days of the constitutional assembly next year, we will have little time for that before the budget session and referendum,” he argued.
Source Tanzania Daily News
