Tanzania elects EALA representatives

The exact date for the elections of Rwanda’s representatives at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) remains unknown as Tanzania yesterday elected their new members in the regional assembly.The elections were meant to be held before April 14 among all member countries. However, the process was delayed for different reasons such as amendments in national legislations.In Rwanda, elections were delayed after the adoption of new law that will govern the electoral procedure of Rwanda’s representatives to the regional assembly.“The new law is still in the Senate. We shall inform you on the elections date after the law is passed,” Augustin Habimana, the Director of Communication and Public Outreach in Parliament, said.Each country is represented by nine members who are elected for five-year term, renewable once. The mandate of the sitting members will expire in June this year. Yesterday, the Tanzanian parliament became the first among the five regional parliaments to elect their new representatives, who included four women and two candidates from the opposition parties.In Bujumbura, elections were also supposed to be held on Tuesday but because of misunderstanding among the candidates, the elections were postponed to a yet to be decided date.In Uganda and Kenya, elections are yet to be conducted as well.It is said that the main issue of contention within some of the countries is the sharing of representation between ruling and opposition parties.Rwanda’s current representatives to the regional body are; Christophe Bazivamo, Valérie Nyirahabineza, Abdul Karim Harerimana, Straton Ndikuryera, Claire Kayirangwa, Dr Odette Nyiramirimo, Jacquéline Muhongayire, Dr. James Ndahiro and Patricia Hajabakiga.

National

Tanzania elects EALA representatives