President reluctant to change Constitution

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has signalled, once again, her reluctance to allow changes to the supreme law, until, after the next elections at least. The country is headed for civic elections in 2024, as well as parliamentary and presidential polls in 2025, an East African report notes. But the Tanzanian leader has faced increasing demands to change the Constitution passed in 1977, with opposition groups arguing the law is too archaic for today’s use. Samia, however, says the country has no time to prepare for elections while amending its laws. ‘It will take time to write and endorse the new Constitution. We are going to start with awareness and education campaigns to the people of Tanzania to make them know what the Constitution is before we sit down to write a new Constitution’, she said. This is the second time her office has counter-argued the constitutional review demands. The report, however, notes that it is easier for Samia to contest the Presidency under the current law. Samia succeeded John Pombe Magufuli who died in office in March 2021. In 2025, she will be running for the first time for Presidency. Under Tanzanian law, a Vice-President who succeeds her President before the holder of that office has run out three years of the term is deemed to have led for a full term. Tanzanian Presidents cannot lead for more than two terms of five years each. The Constitution, however, loads immense power in the presidency and has no provision for courts to overturn the presidential election results. It also allows the President to appoint judges and members of the electoral commission.