1. Country Profiles Home
  2. Tanzania Home
  3. Geography
  4. Society
    1. Traveller information
  5. Economy
  6. History
  7. Politics
    1. International relations
    2. Constitution
  8. Head of Government
  9. Further Information

Tanzania - Constitution

The unicameral legislature, the National Assembly, has a potential total number of 296 members: 231 directly elected by universal adult suffrage, 49 female nominees (by the parties in proportion to the number of seats they hold in the Assembly), up to 10 presidential appointees, five delegates from the Zanzibar parliament and, ex-officio, the attorney-general. General elections are held every five years.

The executive president is elected in separate presidential elections held simultaneously with general elections. He or she must represent a registered political party and have a running mate for the position of vice-president of the Union. The president may serve a maximum of two five-year terms.

The Zanzibar administration has its own president and a House of Representatives of 50 directly elected members, 15 female nominees (by the parties in proportion to the number of seats they hold in the House), 10 presidential nominees, and 5 ex-officio members; one seat is reserved for the attorney-general. The House is responsible for legislation on domestic matters and, in practice, external trade.

From October 2000, use of the full official name of United Republic of Tanzania was adopted.