Renaming of Tanzania electoral commission irks opposition

By Osoro Nyawangah, DODOMA Tanzania 

The Tanzanian main opposition party (CHADEMA) leaders have questioned the recent move by the government to rename the electoral commission.

Effective Friday, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) will officially be known as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), according to a statement issued by government spokesperson Mobhare Matinyi.

The spokesperson said the change of name aligns with the implementation of the newly enacted electoral laws.

But opposition leader Tundu Lissu said the Tanzanian constitution recognises the poll agency as "electoral commission", without the "independent".

In an X post, Mr Lissu urged the country's judges and lawyers tohelp explain if the change of the name was legitimate or whether it was just"political fraud" by the ruling CCM party.

He said that the change could be a bit meaningful if it started with the Constitutional reform to accommodate the relevant laws' changes. "You cannot discuss election issues omitting it's foundation which is constitution." He noted. 

A Media and Communication expert, Maria Sarungi said that the absurdity of Tanzania has been taken to a new height!

"President Samia Hassan thinks she is so clever with mind games while she is playing child’s game!"

She said that adding the word “independent” doesn’t make the Electoral Commission independent when all members are appointed by the incumbent who is Chair of the ruling party and a candidate in the coming election.

Critics argue that despite the rebranding, the commission remains susceptible to political influence from the ruling party.

The renaming comes in the wake of a recent legislative amendment aimed at reorganising the functions and structure of the electoral agency in a bid to enhance its efficiency and transparency.

Chadema organized mega rallies in the main cities of Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha and Mbeya early this year as lawmakers were preparing for debate on a raft of contentious electoral reforms proposed by the government.

The party told the government to withdraw the bills, which basically intended to protect the ruling party, but the parliament went ahead to ament the laws as they wished.

The Tanzanian parliament recently approved the electoral bill which was subsequently signed into law by President Hassan, local media reported.

The East African country is set to hold a grassroots election this year and general election next year.