Members of the Constituent Assembly in session early this year. CCM manifesto is silent on the Katiba process. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
New Constitution has never been CCM agenda under the multiparty system. It has always been opposition parties and political activists who have pushed for the matter.
Dar es Salaam. The ruling party made public its 2015 manifesto on Monday, becoming the first political party participating in this year’s elections to do so. But the manifesto makes no mention of the new constitution.
New Constitution has never been CCM agenda under the multiparty system. It has always been opposition parties and political activists who have pushed for the matter.
The subject was not even in the party’s 2010 manifesto but soon after assuming office for the second time, President Jakaya Kikwete surprised the nation by initiating constitution review process saying it was time to give room for the growing concern over the matter.
The process has occupied these last five years of Mr Kikwete from the formation of the Judge Joseph Warioba chaired Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) which traversed the whole country seeking for people’s views on what should make be the content of the new constitution. From that the CRC prepared first and second proposed constitutions. CCM however disagreed with the content of the proposed constitution especially on the proposed three tier governments.
The process then moved to Constituent Assembly (CA) where battle lines were drawn by CCM which was against the document and the opposition coalition which defended it. CCM used their number advantage in the house which saw opposition led coalition boycotting the assembly.
The CA which was dominated by CCM members passed by pomp and colour the draft constitution which best suited party’s interest including maintaining the current two government structure. The process was scheduled to be concluded in April this year by a referendum. The vote however could not be held since National Electoral Commission (NEC) was not ready to update the voter register by that time due to technical glitches.
The process has so far been postponed indefinitely, and one would not be wrong to anticipate that CCM would have to say something on how to see the process come to an in their election manifesto which is to be executed in the next five years if they are to win the October elections.
The document however is silent over the matter and does not indicate which direction will the party take with the matter should they be given the mandate to rule the country for the next five years.
Meanwhile CCM promises a continuity agenda by stating that it aims to continue with execution of the already set plans and vision for development.
“This manifesto has been penned in line with Nation Development Vision 2025 and CCM’s 2010-2020 policies which both aim at bringing about sustainable development for Tanzanians in the said timeframe,” reads the document’s preamble in part.
The manifesto has outlined and celebrated achievements registered by President Jakaya Kikwete’s government from 2005 and 2010 in all sectors and then mentioned areas which were not party or not achieved and how they will go about them in the next five years if Dr Magufuli is to be elected to office.
The document primarily mentions four areas as party’s priorities, eradicating poverty, war on corruption, unemployment among the youth and maintaining peace and security in the country.
Unemployment
According to manifesto if CCM forms the next government, it will continue where President Kikwete will have left off with regard to addressing unemployment among the youth. Emphasis will be put on establishing and improving small, medium and large industries so as to create jobs.
Poverty eradication
The document noted that a larger number of Tanzanians especially in rural areas are still leaving in abject poverty and to address the problem the party has promised to direct the government to improve productivity in the agriculture sector under the Kilimo Kwanza initiative.
It also promises to formalise the informal sector by allocating small-scale traders areas to conduct business as well as providing them with business licences that will enable them to acquire loans. Priority will also be given to land surveying to enable people, particularly those living in rural areas, to obtain traditional title deeds, which will make it possible for them to access loans.
War on corruption
The party has pledged to adopt a zero-tolerance stance against institutionalised corruption both in the public and private sectors. The ruling party also promises to strengthen anti-corruption agencies and authorities as well as establish a special tribunal to handle corruption and economic sabotage cases.
Peace and security
The manifesto concedes that the lives of some people, particularly those living with albinism, are under threat. To counter this threat and reassure vulnerable groups, the party has promised to provide defence and security agencies with adequate resources, including personnel and modern equipment.
