Tanzania Constitutional Referendum - some time before October 2015

[politicus]

Tanzanians are going to vote on a new constitution in a referendum on April 30. The proposal seems good on paper, but the opposition walked out of a Constituent Assembly because it did not include reforms limiting presidential powers and establishment of a federal system of government.

They are also dissatisfied that an independent electoral commission will not be in place before the referendum.

The four leading opposition parties have united in an alliance and have a chance to oust CCM, that has ruled Tanzania since independence (using different names before 1975) in the parliamentary election in October. The opposition and delegates from civil society have formed the Coalition of Defenders of the People's Constitution, or Umoja wa Katiba ya Wananchi (Ukawa). But I doubt they can block the governments constitutional proposal from getting approved.

The draft include the following changes:
    
- Creation of an Independent Electoral Commission
- Allowing presidential election results to be legally challenged
- Limiting the number of ministers a president can appoint
- A requirement for a 50/50 split of men and women in the National Assembly
- Ensuring equal land ownership rights for women

The second and third changes are opposition proposals.


Wiki: Tanzanian constitutional referendum


What’s at stake in Tanzania’s constitutional referendum?

Party rules: Consolidating power through constitutional reform in Tanzania

Timeline

[politicus]

Tanzania already has an element of federalism because Zanzibar has its own parliament with substantial powers, but the opposition wants so-called three tier federalism with the 30 mkoas (regions - 25 on the mainland, 5 in Zanzibar) as one level, mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar as the next and only a few matters (such as defence, foreign policy, currency, customs) run by the central government. Currently Tanzania also has the West Lothian Q.-problem because Zanzibari MPs can vote on mainland matters in the National Assembly.

[politicus]

The referendum has been postponed (with no new date set - but they will have to hold it before the General Elections in October) because the electoral commission has not received enough biometric voter registration kits to register all voters. This seems to be a genuine reason and not an excuse. I am guessing the referendum will be on in June.