PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete has expressed dismay over lies by some politicians that he had appointed members of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) devoid of recommendations by stakeholders who had proposed names for the posts.
"All the same, I believe the process of re-writing the constitution
will be accomplished next year (2014) and thus enabling the country to
conduct 2015 General Election under a new constitution," Mr Kikwete was
quoted as saying in a statement.
The Head of State made the remarks in California, US early this week while meeting Tanzanians living in that country, according to a statement by the Directorate of Presidential Communications. President Kikwete said he had no problems with people criticizing his policies as long as they did so without causing chaos and jeopardizing peace.
In his speech, Mr Kikwete also spoke on the recent debate in the National Assembly in which the opposition claimed that the president made appointments for members of CRC not considering proposals made by various stakeholders.
"All members of CRC were proposed to me by various stakeholders including religious organizations," he explained. "I don't have problems with politicians or activists criticizing policies of my government or myself since we have capability of defending such policies. What I hate is kind of politicians and activists who encourage people to cause disturbances."
Regarding appointment of 166 additional members for the Constitutional Assembly, the President said if people were of the view that he should appoint the members he would do so. "If the people say I make the appointment I will go ahead and if they say that I should not then that is what I will do, after all it is not an easy task," Mr Kikwete said.
Opposition parties with representation in the National Assembly namely Chadema, CUF and NCCR-Mageuzi have of late became vocal against the process to review the constitution. Among others, they oppose a clause in the legislation to re-write the country's basic law which stipulates that the 166 additional members of the Constitutional Assembly be appointed by the President.
The Head of State made the remarks in California, US early this week while meeting Tanzanians living in that country, according to a statement by the Directorate of Presidential Communications. President Kikwete said he had no problems with people criticizing his policies as long as they did so without causing chaos and jeopardizing peace.
In his speech, Mr Kikwete also spoke on the recent debate in the National Assembly in which the opposition claimed that the president made appointments for members of CRC not considering proposals made by various stakeholders.
"All members of CRC were proposed to me by various stakeholders including religious organizations," he explained. "I don't have problems with politicians or activists criticizing policies of my government or myself since we have capability of defending such policies. What I hate is kind of politicians and activists who encourage people to cause disturbances."
Regarding appointment of 166 additional members for the Constitutional Assembly, the President said if people were of the view that he should appoint the members he would do so. "If the people say I make the appointment I will go ahead and if they say that I should not then that is what I will do, after all it is not an easy task," Mr Kikwete said.
Opposition parties with representation in the National Assembly namely Chadema, CUF and NCCR-Mageuzi have of late became vocal against the process to review the constitution. Among others, they oppose a clause in the legislation to re-write the country's basic law which stipulates that the 166 additional members of the Constitutional Assembly be appointed by the President.
