|
Is Athletics Tanzania weighed down by elections?
2005-09-17 07:04:37
By Editor
For the past nine years, the Athletics Tanzania (AT), formerly Tanzania Amateur Athletics Association (TAAA) has not held its elections.
Since 1996, the AT has been postponing elections each time they are due.
Unfortunately, financial constraints have always been cited as a hitch.
Very soon, the AT will go to poll, in fact as early as October 2.
Surprising, as the day approaches, some funny issues have started cropping up, which we suspect are designed to disrupt the elections so they can be, as usual, postponed.
There are two conflicting views from stakeholders and we think a consensus must be reached for the smooth running of AT.
While incumbent leaders claim that the newly drafted constitution does not allow the National Sports Council (NSC) to supervise its elections, the latter contends that it is actually within its jurisdiction, as the supreme body for all sports associations in the country to oversee elections .
The AT position is that a special committee is sufficient to ensure elections are conducted.
Strange enough, there is a provision in the new AT constitution that allows the NSC to screen the candidates, while allowing it to issue them with election forms.
In our view, unless the AT constitution is amended, the NSC is empowered to take charge of the elections.
Why shouldn’t they, if they can, screen the candidates and clear them?
Why not supervise the elections if the AT constitution allows them to fill in the contestant forms which they will need to submit to the NSC?
We are therefore convinced that AT should let NSC carry on with election supervision as there isn’t enough time to even think of changing the constitution to accommodate their wishes.
With only a few days to go, it will be difficult to form a credible election committee.
Of course we insist on NSC supervision because we are convinced that it has a long time experience and is thus trustworthy.
AT officials should change their minds and build confidence in the NSC to avoid any further cancellation of elections.
We do not know why AT officials are adamant on marginalising the NSC.
We are only hoping that they are not planning to extend their tenure in office and the refusal to recognise NSC supervision is only a trick.
Like the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) which holds its elections next Wednesday after 10 years of ’silence’, the AT needs to elect new leaders so as to fill the leadership gap.
|
