National Assembly (Tanzania)
National Assembly Bunge la Tanzania ( Speaker | ||
---|---|---|
Structure | ||
Seats | 393 | |
Political groups | Government (365)
Opposition (27) Other (1)
| |
Length of term | 5 years | |
Elections | ||
Parallel voting:
| ||
Last election | 28 October 2020 | |
Next election | 2025 | |
Meeting place | ||
Parliament House Dodoma, Tanzania | ||
Website | ||
Parliament website |
Tanzania portal |
The National Assembly of
History
The National Assembly of Tanzania was formed as the Legislative Council of Tanzania Mainland – then known as
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
Article 66 of the Constitution of Tanzania outlines the following categories of members:[3]
Type | No. of members |
---|---|
Elected from constituencies | 264 |
Special seats reserved for women | 113 |
Zanzibar House of Representatives | 5 |
Attorney General (Ex officio member) | 1 |
Nominated by the President | 10 |
Total | 393 |
See also
- List of speakers of the National Assembly of Tanzania
- List of current members of the National Assembly of Tanzania
- Politics of Tanzania
- Zanzibar House of Representatives