Proposal: MPs should live in constituencies

BY THE GUARDIAN REPORTER

Residents of Hombolo division in Dodoma region have proposed that the new constitution should contain a clause binding Members of Parliament to reside in their constituencies so as to be close to their electorate.

The people floated the proposal at a discussion on the new constitution held at Hombolo Local Government 

Institute under a project to strengthen relations between the people and their leaders being implemented by a network of non-governmental organisations based in Dodoma district (Dungonet).

Hombolo street chairperson Jerad Mtagwi said currently many MPs moved to live in Dar es Salaam soon after they were elected, abandoning their constituencies.

“The constitution must state clearly that MPs should reside in their respective constituencies," said Mtagwi as he contributed during the discussion, which also involved ward councillors.

The people also proposed that the government should be small in size, that is the number of ministers should be limited, while other government executives should also be reduced in number.

They said the move would help cut down government running expenses given the fact that the country's economy was still very weak.

“District commissioners should also come from the distrits in which they reside so they would use their knowledge to surmount challenges facing the district," suggested Mtagwi.

For her part, Special Seats councillor, Editha Luhamo proposed that there should be a limit to the tenure of MPs, proposing that it should not exceed ten years.

“You find it's always the same people who become MPs even when they have no leadership ability," she said, adding, “Ministers should not be picked from among MPs because they will be tempted to use their ministerial posts to favour their constituencies."

For his part, a local prominent lawyer, Elias Machibya, said the structure of the Union was a very sensitive issue, saying he did not think the Constitutional Review Commission would manage to handle it properly.

“I don't think the Commission would manage it, this is a very sensitive matter and it is tough, unless the Commission reviews the Zanzibar Constitution first, but it lacks the power to amend it," he said.

He said the Zanzibar Constitution clearly stipulates that Zanzibar is one of two countries forming the United Republic of Tanzania.

He argued that if the structure of the Union is to be changed, it would be necessary to first revive Tanganyika as the other partner in the United Republic.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN (11/09/2012): http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=45687