The National Electoral Commission (NEC) and the ruling party have failed to agree on the fate of the planned referendum on the Constitution.

This has left the process at a crossroads, amid growing speculation that a plebiscite is not forthcoming this year.

Halting the process would deal a political blow on President Jakaya Kikwete, who initiated it in 2010 without his party’s blessing. When it met last weekend in Dodoma, Chama cha Mapinduzi’s (CCM) Central Committee advised the party to plan for the referendum ahead of the General Election in October. 

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The position comes hardly a month after NEC said it was not capable of holding the referendum in March because it had not updated the voters register. Party insiders told The EastAfrican that the referendum could be shelved due to limited time, lack of money, delay in voter registration and the elections.

NEC cited challenges such as biometric voter registration and added that the referendum would be suspended indefinitely. However, some government officials and CCM members had suggested that the General Election and the referendum be held together in October.

CCM publicity secretary Nape Nnauye was however cagey with his comment, hinting that he had attended a meeting in which such an option was ruled out.

But early last week, Constitution and Legal Affairs Minister Dr Asha-Rose Migiro told parliamentarians that the referendum will be held once the permanent voters register was up to date.