National Assembly (Tanzania)

The National Assembly of Tanzania (Swahili: Bunge la Tanzania) and the President of the United Republic make up the Parliament of Tanzania.[2] The current Speaker of the National Assembly is Job Ndugai, who presides over a unicameral assembly of 393 members.[3]

National Assembly

Bunge la Tanzania  (Swahili)
11th Parliament
Type
Type
History
Founded1 January 1962
New session started
18 November 2015 (2015-11-18)
Leadership
Deputy Speaker
Structure
Seats393
(2 vacant)
Political groups
Length of term
5 years
Elections
Parallel voting:
Last election
25 October 2015
Meeting place
Parliament House
Dodoma, Tanzania
Website
Parliament Website
Tanzania
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Tanzania
 Tanzania portal

History

The National Assembly of Tanzania was formed as the Legislative Council of Tanzania Mainland – then known as Tanganyika – in 1926. The Council was formed under a law enacted by the British Parliament called the Tanganyika Legislative Council Order and Council. The law was gazetted in Tanganyika on 18 June 1926. The Council consisted of 20 members when it was formed on 7 December 1926 under the Chairmanship of the Governor of Tanganyika, Sir Donald Cameron.

The first Speaker was appointed to replace the Governor as the Chairman of the Council in 1953. The office of Speaker was first occupied on 1 November 1953.

In 1958, the Council got a few elected representatives for the first time. This was the first election allowed in the colony. Of the three political parties which participated in the elections, namely Tanganyika African Union (TANU), United Tanganyika Party (UTP) and African National Congress (ANC), only TANU won in some constituencies, thus becoming the first party to have elected members on the Council.

Second elections for positions on the Council were held in 1960. These elections were part of the preparations being made to make Tanganyika an independent nation. All members appointed by the Governor were abolished and the people of Tanganyika were allowed to elect all members of the Council.

In the same year, the name of the Council was changed to Legislative Assembly. The changes made in this year were constitutionally necessary so as to allow the President of Tanganyika to give assent to all laws passed instead of the Queen of the United Kingdom.[4]

Mandate

The Parliament – the National Assembly and the President of the United Republic - obtains its mandate and functions from Chapter 3 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. The Constitution contains Articles that grant for the establishment, composition and functions of the Parliament.[5]

Functions

The Parliament has powers to deal with both Union and non-Union issues which are not in the scope of the Zanzibar Government. It is responsible for discussing bills and passing laws. It also scrutinizes the actions of the Executive arm of the Government.[6]

Composition
Hon. Kigwangalla addressing the parliament

Article 66 of the Constitution of Tanzania outlines the following categories of members:[3]

TypeNo. of members
Elected from constituencies264
Special seats reserved for women113
Zanzibar House of Representatives5
Attorney General (Ex officio member)1
Nominated by the President10
Total393
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See also

References
  1. "Art. 66, Constitution of Tanzania". Constitute Project.
  2. "Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania" (PDF).
  3. "Structure of the Parliament of Tanzania".
  4. "History of the Parliament of Tanzania".
  5. "Mandate of the Parliament of Tanzania".
  6. "Functions of the Parliament of Tanzania".

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