Tanzania: Arumeru East by-election set for May 19 as opposition MP loses seat
Joshua Nassari
What you need to know:
The National Electoral Commission (NEC) said on Sunday, March 31, 2019 that by-election to elect the new Member of Parliament (MP) for Arumeru East MP will be held on May 19, 2019.
Morogoro. The National Electoral Commission (NEC) said on Sunday, March 31, 2019 that by-election to elect the new Member of Parliament (MP) for Arumeru East MP will be held on May 19, 2019.
Arumeru East MP Joshua Nassary lost his parliamentary seat, after missing three consecutive Parliament sessions without informing the Speaker.
A press statement, issued by the office of the National Assembly, said on March 14, 2019, that it had written to the chairman of the NEC, Judge Semistocles Kaijage, informing him that the Arumeru East constituency was vacant because Mr Nassary has lost qualifications of being an MP after.
This came after he (Nassari) missed three Parliament sittings including the 12th one which was held from September 4 to September 14; the 13th one which was held between September 6 and September 16 last year and the 14th sitting which was held between January 29 and February 9, this year.
“The decision by the Speaker is in accordance with Section 71 (1) (C) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania which directs that a Member of Parliament shall lose his/her seat if he/she misses attending three consecutive parliamentary sittings without permission from the Speaker,” the statement read.
Nassari’s attempt to challenge the decision flopped after the court upheld the Parliament’s decision.
And, addressing a press conference here on Sunday, March 31, 2019, the NEC chairman Semistocles Kaijage said, working on a letter from the National Assembly, the commission has set May 19, 2019 as the day for by-election in the constituency.
"Arumeru East Constituency is vacant after former lawmaker Joshua Samwel Nassari lost qualifications to continue serving in that capacity after missing three consecutive sessions without permission of speaker,” he said.
Mr Kaijage called on political parties to abide by laws, regulations, ethics and election procedures throughout the by-election process.
