Law making process in Tanzania: an examination of the degree of public participation in the process

In democratic societies, law has the power to effect great transformations if it is responsive to the needs of its people. A law can be responsive to the needs of its people where such people have been effectively involved in the process of making the law and that such law has taken into consideration their views. This can only be achieved through public participation in the law-making process. In Tanzania, Article 8(1) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, 1977 recognizes the right of the public to participate in the affairs of their Government, including law-making process. The recognition of this right is based on the cardinal principle that in any democratic country, sovereignty resides primarily in the people and from the people a government derives its power and authority. Based on the constitutional right as articulated under Article 8(1), this study, examines the law-making process in Tanzania and the procedural framework governing the process to see to what extent the public participates. This study is organized into Five Chapters: Chapter one is an introductory and background information which identifies the problem subject of the study. The second Chapter gives a general overview of the concept of public participation in law making process and its genesis. Chapters Three and Four evaluate the law-making process and public participation as practiced in Tanzania. The Fifth Chapter is on conclusion and recommendations.