Africa-Press – Tanzania. PROCESS to pick a candidate for position of Speaker of the National Assembly has begun in the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), with the party encouraging its qualified members to pick nomination forms.
The party announced yesterday that it expects to obtain the name(s) of the candidates for the post by January 30, this month, thereafter vetting would follow.
This comes after last week’s resignation of Job Ndugai who served the position for six years.
Following his resignation, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Ms Nenelwa Mwihambi, announced suspension of all Bunge activities until February 1, 2022.
Her statement was in line with section 84 (8) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of the year 1977 which reads; “No business (other than the election of the Speaker) shall be conducted in the National Assembly while the office of Speaker is vacant”.
That allowed political parties to embark on internal procedures to find candidate for the position.
“The required qualification for this position and the procedures are clear in the constitution. Therefore, genuine party members who are qualified are encouraged to come to collect party’s nomination forms,” Mr Shaka Hamidu Shaka, CCM’s ideology and publicity secretary, said here yesterday.
He was speaking at a press conference held at the party’s main office in the Islands at Kisiwandui.
The forms will be available from today January 10th to 17th this year in Zanzibar and at the CCM sub-office at Lumumba in Dar es Salaam, and the party head office in Dodoma.
Mr Shaka explained that the procedures to be followed in electing a new Speaker is clear in articles: 84 (1) and 84 (8), of the United Republic of Tanzania Constitution which stipulates that the Speaker shall be elected from among members of parliament or a person with the required qualifications.
He informed journalists that from 17th this month, the Secretariat of the party National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected to have a session to discuss the names of the applicants for the position and submit them to the CCM Central Committee for screening and selection.
“MPs from CCM are scheduled to have a meeting between 21st and 30th of this month to approve the candidate nominated by the members of CCM,” Shaka said, adding that the party will then compete with other candidates, if any, from other political parties.
The occasion, was also an opportunity for Mr Shaka to salute all past and serving Presidents in both Zanzibar and union government for maintaining the strength of the party, despite some challenges, saying: “CCM is unshakable and strong enough to encounter various political changes such as resignation of its leaders and cadres.”
He commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi for ensuring that the country remains in peace and politically stable.
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