Tanzanian court suspends Arumeru East by-election

A parliamentary by-election due to take place in Arumeru East constituency has been suspended by the High Court in Dodoma.

The by-election was planned after the Speaker Job Ndugai ruled the seat of Arumeru East held by Joshua Nassari as vacant. The announcement was made earlier this month with the Speaker writing to the National Electoral Commission to inform them a by-election was necessary because Joshua Nassari had missed three consecutive parliamentary meetings. According to the Speaker the Constitution states that a Member of Parliament shall lose their seat if they miss three consecutive sittings without permission from the Speaker.

However, the High Court has since suspended the election following an application filed by Nassari, seeking to reverse the Speakers decision. The suspension will remain in place until the case is heard and a ruling is made. The matter is scheduled to he heard on March 27.