TANZANIA: Catholic Bishops wants Referendum for New Constitution held after General Election
The Catholic
Bishops of Tanzania have given their stance on the Referendum for the New
Constitution on which they are demanding that the exercise be postponed until
after the general election in October this year.
Bishops of Tanzania have given their stance on the Referendum for the New
Constitution on which they are demanding that the exercise be postponed until
after the general election in October this year.
In the Pastoral
letter that was issued recently and signed by the President of Tanzania
Episcopal Conference (TEC), His Lordship Tarcisius Ngalalekumtwa, the Bishops
stated that in spite of the good things in the Draft Constitution, there are still
some cardinal issues that require consideration which, if neglected, could lead
the society into the wrong direction.
letter that was issued recently and signed by the President of Tanzania
Episcopal Conference (TEC), His Lordship Tarcisius Ngalalekumtwa, the Bishops
stated that in spite of the good things in the Draft Constitution, there are still
some cardinal issues that require consideration which, if neglected, could lead
the society into the wrong direction.
According to the
Bishops, very few people so far have accessed the Draft Constitution which is
about to be taken for referendum and the voter registration process for the Referendum
is yet to be finished. The Bishops doubt whether the process will be finished
in time to allow for the Referendum to take place. They also noted that many
people are ignorant on the Draft Constitution for which they are preparing to
vote. “How can somebody vote for something he or she does not know?” they
asked.
Bishops, very few people so far have accessed the Draft Constitution which is
about to be taken for referendum and the voter registration process for the Referendum
is yet to be finished. The Bishops doubt whether the process will be finished
in time to allow for the Referendum to take place. They also noted that many
people are ignorant on the Draft Constitution for which they are preparing to
vote. “How can somebody vote for something he or she does not know?” they
asked.
In the Pastoral
Letter, the Bishops warned that hastening of getting a New Constitution could
do more harm to the country than good.
Letter, the Bishops warned that hastening of getting a New Constitution could
do more harm to the country than good.
In an interview
with Kiongozi Newspaper of TEC, Archbishop
Damian Dallu of Songea said, “As the country is preparing for general election
let people be properly prepared and informed. We cannot do referendum and
general election so closely; all these are very sensitive issues that require
time, education of citizens and preparation. Why rushing it?” He further said,
“It is our duty as religious Leaders to advice our people.”
with Kiongozi Newspaper of TEC, Archbishop
Damian Dallu of Songea said, “As the country is preparing for general election
let people be properly prepared and informed. We cannot do referendum and
general election so closely; all these are very sensitive issues that require
time, education of citizens and preparation. Why rushing it?” He further said,
“It is our duty as religious Leaders to advice our people.”
And in the
Pastoral Letter, the Bishops went on to say that if government persists to hurriedly
hold a Referendum, they will tell their faithful to vote against the Draft Constitution
in the Referendum.
Pastoral Letter, the Bishops went on to say that if government persists to hurriedly
hold a Referendum, they will tell their faithful to vote against the Draft Constitution
in the Referendum.
By Sara Pelaji, Kiongozi Newspaper, TEC
