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Opposition parties in Tanzania decry that the ruling party acting in the name of the government is seeking to reform the Political Party Act in order to criminalize political activity.
On Sunday, politicians in Tanzania denounced the ruling party’s proposed bill to amend the Political Parties Act threatens to restrict political freedoms and criminalize opposition parties.
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“The proposed bill is against the constitution,” and “If this bill is passed by the parliament as it is, it is going to criminalize political activities,” stated Hashim Runwge, chairman of the CHAUMMA party.
Opposition leaders allege this is a move orchestrated by the ruling CCM party to build a “one-party” system.
For some lawmakers, the reform is necessary to bring politicians to adhere to the country’s Constitution.
“They complain that the bill bans political parties from functioning as pressure groups while they know for sure the two are very different things,” stated Francis Mutungi, registrar of political parties, in support of the regime’s desired reform.
The reform plan includes barring parties from operating as pressure groups, it gives the registrar the power to police and interferes in the parties’ internal affairs, and it imposes jail terms and big fines for violators. Also, Section 5A requires anyone who wants to lead a civic education or capacity building activity with a party to inform the registrar prior to the event, and this person will decide whether to approve it or not.
The bill allows forming party coalitions and it promotes the participation of disabled people in party politics, according to Andrew Bomani, the secretary of the United Democratic Party (UDP).
On Nov. 16, 2019, the parliament will decide on whether or not the bill goes forward generating sweeping changes are made to the Political Parties Act.
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