MARA-The Member of Parliament for Musoma Rural, Prof Sospeter Muhongo has congratulated House Speaker Dr Tulia Ackson on being elected the new Inter-Parliamentary Union ( IPU) President.
“It is a resounding victory anchored around your undisputed professionalism and quality delivery. You’ve made Tanzania proud,’’ Prof Muhongo said.Dr Ackson who holds a PhD in law from the University of Cape Town, won a landslide victory when she scooped more than half of the votes cast at a meeting of parliamentarians from around the world in Angola yesterday, thus defeating her three competitors from Malawi, Senegal and Somalia.
She becomes the first African woman to hold the position and takes over from Duarte Pacheco from Portugal.since his election in 2020.
Three hundred and three (303) votes were cast and Dr Tulia Ackson needed at least half of all the votes which amounts to 152 to emerge as the winner.
For 25 years, the presidency of the IPU has been occupied by parliamentarians from India, Spain, Italy, Namibia, Morocco,Portugal, Egypt and Bangladesh.
The president elect as head of the Inter parliamentary Union is tasked to among others preside over all sessions of the IPU and represent the organization at international events.
Her presidency will run for three terms, and she must maintain her status as a member of parliament through her tenure.
The results of the ballot as below,
Mrs. Adji Diarra Mergane Kanoute’(Senegal) received 52 votes.
Mrs. Catherine Gotani Hara (Malawi) received 61 votes.
Mrs. Marwa Abdibashir Hagi (Somalia) received 11 votes.
Mrs. Tulia Ackson (United Republic of Tanzania) received 172 votes.
Over 130 parliamentarians from across the world participated in the five-day event from 23rd -27th October 2023. The Inter parliamentary Union is a global organization of national parliaments dedicated to promoting peace through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue, and sustainable development around the world.
It has since grown into a truly global organization with 180 Members and 14 Associate Members around the World.