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CUF pleased with ruling on independent candidates
2006-05-08 08:07:28
By Guardian Reporter
The Civic United Front (CUF) has hailed the High Court decision to allow independent candidates.
Sitting in Dar es Salaam on Friday, the High Court ruled that independent candidates can now run for presidency and parliamentary seats.
The court’s verdict followed a petition lodged by Rev Christopher Mtikila in 2005, challenging laws that prohibit independent individuals from running for presidential and parliamentary seats.
In a press statement yesterday, CUF’s Chairman, Prof Ibrahim Lipumba commended the judgement and urged the fourth-phase government to implement the ruling immediately.
’’The government should not appeal against the verdict and thus delay implementation,’’ said Prof Lipumba.
The decision, according to CUF, signifies the need for comprehensive political and constitutional reforms in Zanzibar and the Union government to move at par with multiparty politics and enhance democratization in Tanzanian.
’’The current country’s constitution is still single-party oriented, although it allows multiparty politics,’’ urged Lipumba.
CUF appealed for Tanzanians to join forces in pushing for constitutional reforms that could protect interests of multiparty regime in fair, free and a peaceful manner.
’’In fact what is needed is a constitution that would see the establishment of an independent electoral commission and scrap out discriminatory laws in the country,’’ the CUF boss added.
He also said CUF in collaboration with other opposition parties and other stakeholders is working on a draft constitution to be presented for national dialogue and debate.
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