CCM legislators, however, were joined in the Chamber by special seats MP Clara Mwatuka (CUF) who chose to remain as well as the Maswa legislator, Mr John Magale Shibuda (Chadema) and Vunjo MP Augustine Mrema (TLP).
The Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Mr Mathias Chikawe said despite the opposition walking out, they participated effectively during the preliminary stages of the Bill’s preparations.
Although the House finally passed the Bill with its various amendments, the Minister said he was saddened by the fact that the only problem with the opposition was that people of Zanzibar were not involved and consulted on the matter which was untrue.
He said the new proposed Act will now put a clear roadmap on how the constitutional assembly will be formed and how its membership and leadership will be.
“We were here to seek on how the constitutional assembly will be formed, among others, leading to the referendum process in November when we hope the Referendum Bill will be tabled,” he said.
Minister Chikawe wondered how the opposition including those from CUF in Zanzibar can deny being involved in the process, while the Zanzibar President and his two Vice- Presidents blessed the process and supported the Bill.
He said it would have been understood if the opposition were to boycott the Bill on other excuses but not by involving Zanzibar. He said the Bill has come with few new recommendations, mentioning section 21(1c) which explains how members of the Constitutional Assembly will determine and pass various resolutions.
Mr Chikawe said it was still undecided where the Constitutional Assembly will be held. “A venue for the Assembly will be established later as we need to secure a place where members will be able to concentrate to the maximum,” he said.
Earlier, the Deputy Minister, Ms Angela Kairuki said history will award President Jakaya Kikwete for initiating the new constitutionmove in 2010, adding that the president’s willingness to meet different stakeholders including the opposition parties and accommodate their proposals shows how committed he was to the agenda.
Meanwhile, some MPs sought clarification in the House demanding what action should be taken to Mr Joseph Mbilinyi for allegedly attacking a Police Officer shortly after he was forcibly removed from the Chamber on Thursday.
Mr Chistopher Ole Sendeka (Simanjiro – CCM) sought the attention of the Chairperson, Ms Jenista Mhagama on the matter saying the attack was a criminal act, lack of self-respect and clear abuse of the law to be shown by a law maker.
Mr Said Mkumba wanted the House to ask for the Second Vice -President of Zanzibar, Amb. Seif Ally Idd to comment on the opposition’s allegations that no single member from Zanzibar took part in the preparation of the amended Constitutional Bill.
Mr Idd confirmed that Zanzibar was fully involved in the process and he was the one who presented the views in writing. “Madam Chairperson, I confirm that what the Attorney General told the House was correct and I was the one who wrote the letter on Zanzibar’s position to be accommodated in the Bill,” he said.
On Mr Mbilinyi attacking the Security officer, Ms Mhagama said the Parliament needs to carefully study the matter before giving her comments, saying that it was the first time the Parliament had encountered such a scenario since its establishment.
