TANZANIA: Call to apply for Katiba assembly positions

Written by ALVAR MWAKYUSA.

CITIZENS have between March 08 and 20, this year, to apply for positions in district constitutional assemblies, the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) has announced.

The assemblies are set to discuss draft constitution which is now being prepared by CRC. There would be 18,169 members of the assemblies in Tanzania Mainland and 1,198 members in Zanzibar.

"Discussion of the draft by the constitutional assemblies will take place between June and August, this year," CRC Chairman Judge (Rtd) Joseph Warioba, told journalists at a news conference in Dar es Salaam.

Judge Warioba said the draft constitution will be ready by May, this year, after which the assemblies can go through it and make recommendations.

Those wishing to apply should be citizens of Tanzania aged 18 years and above. Other criteria include literacy, critical thinking and permanent residence in the respective area where he/she wishes to make application. According to Judge Warioba, names of all applicants will then be made public between March 22 and 28 after which election of members will be conducted.

Names of candidates who will be selected at village and street level will be presented to special meetings of ward development committees to be held between April 5 and 9, this year, where four representatives will be selected from each ward.

According to Warioba, those selected at this stage will have their names forwarded to District and Municipal Executive Directors in the respective areas where the names will be sent to the Secretary of CRC for selection in the assemblies.

"I urge people with the set qualification to make applications to village and ward executive officers in Tanzania Mainland and Shehas in Zanzibar," Judge Warioba appealed. When applying for the positions, one should state his/her full names, gender, age, level of education as well as his/her profession and place of domicile.

Judge Warioba said the constitutional assemblies are very important as they would enable representatives of people to participate in the process of re-writing the constitution by making contributions to add to views during the initial process to collect views from the people.

Source: Daily News (08/03/2013): http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/15302-call-to-apply-for-katiba-assembly-positions