Tanzania’s opposition Chadema summons 19 ‘rebel’ Special Seats lawmakers
What you need to know:
- He noted that no official list of Special Seats nominees had been submitted by the party to the National Electoral Commission (NEC).
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s main opposition party Chadema has ordered its 19 members who were on Tuesday sworn in as Special Seats lawmakers to appear before the party's Central Committee on Friday.
Addressing a news conference in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, Chadema secretary-general John Mnyika said the members should present themselves at the party’s headquarters on Friday without fail.
He noted that no official list of Special Seats nominees had been submitted by the party to the National Electoral Commission (NEC).
“I have not at submitted any list of Special Seats nominees, and neither have I certified any form as procedures require. I wish to make it clear that at no time has Chadema nominated anybody or submitted any list to NEC. This means that the party must take appropriate action.
“I hereby announce that the 19 members who were sworn in as Special Seats MPs yesterday should present themselves at the party's headquarters on Friday, November 27,2020 at eight in the morning sharp,” Mr Mnyika said.
National Assembly Speaker Job Ndugai said after swearing in the lawmakers at Parliament grounds in Dodoma that he had received a list of their names from NEC.
The 19 Chadema members include 14 who were members of the 11th Parliament, while the remaining five are new faces in Parliament.
The 14 members who have returned to Parliament include former elected MPs Halima Mdee (Kawe), Naghenjwa Kaboyoka (Same East), Esther Matiko (Tarime Urban) and Ester Bulaya (Bunda). Grace Tendega, Cecilia Pareso, Kishoa David, Anatropia Theonest, Salome Makamba, Conchesta Rwamlaza, Hawa Mwaifunga and Tunza Malapo have returned as Special Seats legislators.
The five new faces are Agnes Kaiza, Asia Mohamed, Nustrat Hanje, Felister Njau and Stella Fiayo
