4 administration of justice, and upholding and advising the Government and the public on all legal matters, including human rights, rule of law and good governance; and the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights, respectively. 2. Reverend Christopher R. Mtikila (“2nd Applicant”), is a national of the United Republic of Tanzania. He brings his application in his personal capacity, as a national of the Republic. 3. The Respondent is the United Republic of Tanzania and is cited herein because the Applicants contend that it has ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (“the Charter”), and also the Protocol. Furthermore, the Respondent has made a declaration in terms of Article 34(6) of the Protocol, accepting to be cited before this Court by an individual or an NGO with Observer Status before the Commission. Nature of the Applications 4. On 2 June 2011 and 10 June 2011, respectively, the 1st Applicants and the 2nd Applicant filed in the Registry of the Court applications instituting proceedings against the Respondent, claiming that the Respondent had, through certain amendments to its Constitution, violated its citizens’ participate in discrimination right of freedom of association, the right to public/governmental affairs and the by candidates prohibiting independent right to against contest Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government elections. The Applicants also allege that the Respondent violated the rule of law by