DEMOCRACY
What is democracy?
Democracy: refers to the system of government and leadership in which the supreme power belongs to the people. The word Democracy It originates from two Greek words which are "demos" which means people and "crato" which means the "rule of" or" rule by".
In democratic government, the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by all citizens or through their freely elected agents (representatives) under free and fair electoral systems. People exercise their authority directly by voting for or against certain rules or laws or candidates.
According to Abraham Lincoln the 16th USA president, Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Government of the people: means that the people are sovereign and that the government derives all its power and authority from people.
The government by the people: means people have power and rights to choose leaders who are to govern on behalf of all the people.
The government for the people: means the government is there to serve the interests of the people rights to choose leaders who are to govern on behalf of all people.
TYPES OF DEMOCRACY
There are two types of democracy which are:
i. Direct democracy.
ii. Indirect democracy
1. PURE/DIRECT/PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY
Direct (participatory) democracy: This is the political system or type of democracy where by all citizens in a given area participate in decision making. All adult citizens has equal chance to participate in decision making. Every important issue is put before an assembly of all citizens for a vote. Direct democracy can only be practiced in countries with small populations. It is normally applied in area with low population such rural areas.
CHARACTERISTICS OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY
1. It allow high freedom for citizens to make their own decisions.
2. It allow citizen participation on decisions making.
3. All votes have equal weights
4. It is more applicable in areas with low population.
5. It is the type of democracy which more applicable in the country.
6. It provide quickly answer to the citizens.
ADVANTAGES OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY
1. It provides chance to people to express their feelings: Every person has a chance to express his/her feeling and views about particular programmes.
2. It provides quick and immediate answer to people: Also satisfaction is immediate to questions asked directly. This is because they are answered directly.
3. It enables people to think and provide their opinions: Direct democracy enable people to think and provide their opinions immediately to the government.
4. It helps representatives to gather information from their constituencies: so that they can send them before the national assembly.
5. It helps on discussion and making by-law: has been advantageous on making and discussiong by-laws in villages or hamlets and wards.
DISADVANTAGES OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY
1. It cannot be applied in areas with high population: This is because people cannot assemble together in a small area and discuss comfortably.
2. It is not easy to reach the conclusions: This is because every person will be trying to argue according to his/her interests.
3. Source of conflicts: There is the possibility of the outbreak of conflict and misunderstanding, this is because every person will demand his/her opinions to be considered.
4. It consume a lot of time: because the meeting will make people leave their production activities untended.
5. Source of poor participation of some members: Normally under the direct democracy not all people attend and participate fully in the meeting. Many people may attend but only few will participate fully on the matters discussed.
6. Some people do not able to express themselves: There are some people who are not able to express themselves before the masses, due to this situation there is a possibility of missing valuable ideas.
2. INDIRECT DEMOCRACY/REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
Indirect democracy: This is a system whereby few people are elected or selected to represent majority. E.g members of parliament (MPs), presidents etc. It practiced in areas with high population such urban. In representative democracy few citizens participate indirectly by electing village councilors members of parliament and the president.
TYPES OF INDIRECT DEMOCRACY
i. Parliamentary democracy: This is the type of indirect democracy where by voters elect representatives to be members of parliament. Members of parliament in turn choose a person to head the cabinet that head of cabinet. That head of cabinet is called a prime minister. The prime minister is the head of the majority party in parliament. The members of parliament have the power to force the prime minister to resign through the vote of no confidence. Ethiopia, India, and United Kingdom are examples of countries run by parliamentary democracy.
ii. Presidential democracy: This is a form of representative democracy where by the parliament and the cabinets are independent organs of the state. In presidential democracy the president does not directly control the parliament so the two can check each other’s power. This is called a system of check and balances. Tanzania follows this system.
iii. Mixed parliamentary and presidential democracy: This is the type of democracy where by the president is elected by the people while the prime minister is elected by the members of parliament. For example France follows this system.
FEATURES/CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIRECT DEMOCRACY
1. It is much applied in areas with high population.
2. Elected leaders or representatives are removed through general elections. Example presedents, members of parliament.
3. It cannot allows high level of citizen participation.
4. It cannot provide immediately answer to the citizens.
5. The elected leaders governs according to the wishes of the majority.
6. There is competition among political parties.
DISADVANTAGES/LIMITATIONS/WEAKNESSES OF INDIRECT DEMOCRACY
1. Absence of voter's apathy: This is not especially among the disadvantaged people who don’t participate nor have the influence in the elections.
2. Passive citizens: There are people in different sciatic who are not well informed on civics issues and responsibilities.
3. Dependency: This means to follow a group or leader uncritically and reducing the value of outsiders and avoiding disagreement. This behavior present democracy because it does not acknowledge equality.
4. Lack of economic democracy: Since only the minority have the great percentage of wealth, no political equality.
5. Democracy is not yet extended to many other civic institution: For example, the church.
PRINCIPLES/ELEMENTS/PILLARS/ SINGPOSTS OF DEMOCRACY
1. Citizen participation: To any democratic country citizens are allowed to participate fully in decision making such as election. In a democratic country people participate in different issues like.
i. Voting in election
ii. Becoming informed about community and civic meetings.
iii. Paying taxes
iv. Reading about public issues
v. Discussing public issues
vi. Working in campaigns.
2. Equality: To any democratic country all people have equally access to opportunities in political social and economic aspects. This is done without considering their religion, race, ethnic groups or gender.
3. Political tolerance: This is the ability to bear with political affairs that has no benefits to someone or group. The political tolerance must be there to any democratic country.
E.g political campaigns, critiques from the opposition parties, etc.
4. Transparency: This is the situation whereby the government is openness to what is doing in the country. The government is supposed to perform its functions and duties with openness.
IMPORTANCE OF GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY
i. It enables people to know what the government is doing for their own well being.
ii. It makes the citizens to understand will their leaders.
iii. It is necessary for the development of people and country at large.
iv. It allows people to ask questions and develop constructive criticism.
v. It increase freedom of mass media.
DISADVANTAGES OF GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY
i. Source of conflicts.
ii. Increase in citizen criticism over the government.
iii. Disobeying of government action.
5. Regular free and fair elections: To any democratic country the election should be periodically in a peace free and fair environment.
6. Economic freedom: To any democratic country the societies should be allowed to have economic freedom. Example freedom of owning the private properties and businesses.
7. Control of the base of power: This is the process of preventing any elected official or leaders from miss using their power. The most form of power miss use is corruption. Corruption: is the miss use of public funds/ property for the private benefits.
8. Inclusion of bill of rights: This is a list of rights and freedoms guaranteed to all people in the country. It is written in the national constitution. Any democratic country must observe human rights.
The courts of law have the power to enforce these rights. A bill of rights limits the power of the government.
Examples of rights
i. Freedom of expression.
ii. Freedom of association.
iii. Freedom of assembly
iv. Freedom of equality.
v. Right of education.
vi. Freedom of worship.
9. Multiparty system: This is the situation where by in the country is allowed more than one political parties to exist. To every democratic country should allows this system.
10. The rule of the law: Thi is a situation where all members of the society accept and respect the law. No one is above the law and all people are equal before the law. Everyone must obey the law and must be accountable if they are abuse or violate it. The law must be equal, fair, and consistently enforced.
11. The national constitution: this is the document or set of rules and regulations which shows how the country has to be governed. To every democratic country must have the national constitution.
IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL CONSTITUTION
1. It shows how the leaders has to be elected.
2. It promotes human rights. Through the bill of rights.
3. It shows the power limit of the leaders.
4. It shows the procedures of national election.
5. It control the abuse of power to the leaders.
6. It ensure separation of powe. The executive, legislature and the judiciary.
IMPORTANCE/ADVANTAGES OF DEMOCRACY
1. It promotes accountability and good governance: Democracy gives an obligation to government officials to refrain from misuse of power and so they become accountable to the people for their actions.
2. It promotes equality and fairness: In a democratic society all people are considered to be equally free although they may differ in intelligence, property, health etc. they have equal opportunities of participating in the decision of government and elections. This guarantees peace and harmony.
3. It promotes cooperation to the citizens: Democracy gives room for the people to develop a cooperative habit of working together as well as tolerance of their differing views.
4. It enhence people's participation: People are more likely to accept laws, taxes and their obligation if they feel they have played some part in making decisions.
5. Democracy ensures availability good leaders: This is important because the leaders represent the voters. Hence democracy ensure the existence of right leaders or representatives in the powers.
6. It allow majority decision: which is likely to be right for their common good because they have been collectively discussed rather than those which have been made for them by a single person or by the minority.
WEAKNESS/DISADVANTAGES/ SHORTCOMING OF DEMOCRACY
1. It is expensive: In democracy it may be too slow and costly to make a decision. For instance, a referendum may have to be called to approve an international agreement and may also be called to approve constitution changes.
2. Unfairness: The fact that a decision has been approved by the majority does not mean that it is always right. A mob can easily mislead itself even on issues of national interest.
3. It needs only literate people: Democracy does not work in illiterate societies because illiterate people don’t know the limits of those in power. They make very wrong choices and decisions under the quite of democracy.
4. Delegation of power: Democracy allows delegation of power by the people. This argument is based on the fact that after the election, the voters lose control over their representatives.
5. Source of poor representatives: Democracy may result in getting inefficient representatives who may neither be skilled nor trained. Therefore, they will be incapable of dealing with technical issues and their contribution will be poor.
6. Source of conflict: due to unsatisfactory especially during the general election.
7. Time consuming: due to high discussion.
STRENGTH/ADVANTAGES OF DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES
1. They help people to have access to their resources.
2. They help people to get opportunity to make decisions on their day to day affairs.
3. They give people equal opportunity to elect leaders they want.
4. They promote and protect human rights. for example: Participation, equal opportunity, freedom of mass media and integrity are within this will of human rights.
5. They control abuse of power. Example the rule of law and national constitution.
6. They encourage competition in production to the citizens. Due to the presence of economic freedom.
WEAKNESS OF PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY
The llowing are some of the weaknesses of democracy.
1. Unfairness: it based more on the majoriy decision and leaving out the minority’s decision.
2. Poor representation: This can occurs when the elected leaders to represent others are not able to deal with technical issues.
3. Low level of literacy: Some members of the society are illiterate. They do not know there rights especially rights which are denied by their leaders, illiterate people do not know the power limit of their leaders. Such people may elect leaders or rulers who are incapable under the umbrella of democracy.
Those who are in power take advantage of the ignorance of those people to mistreat them
4. Time consuming: in the democratic society consume much time to reach decisions even though the issue may need quickly solution.
5. Source of unqualied leaders: democracy may leads to the existence of less qualifued leaders due to their influence. E.g MPs etc.
6. Source of conflicts in the country: Especially violent during the general election.
THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES
The government of Tanzania is promoting democracy through the following ways:-
1. Providing high chance of citizen participartion: Citizens who are qualified should be encouraged to participate in election process and in policy making.
2. Inclusion of bill of right in the constitution: This ensures the right of personal liberty and equality before the law, freedom of movement, conscience and expression, protection of citizens against degrading treatment.
3. Enhancing freedom of press: This aims at providing freedom of opinion. People should be able to express their view and find out what is happening in their communities and in other nation by using both state owned and privately owned mass media.
4. Ensuring a conductive environment: This is done to both the civil society organizations and promote people’s participation through them.
5. Allowing free and fair election.
6. Maintaining peace and security in the country.
DIFFERENT BETWEEN DIRECT DEMOCRACY AND INDIRECT DEMOCRACY
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DEMOCRACY IN TANZANIA
1. Presence of Political freedom: Tanzanians who qualify to vote may stand for elections. Citizens attend community or civic meetings and are members of political parties.
2. No discrimination: There is no discrimination of people due to their race, religion, ethnic group or gender. We are all equal.
3. Political tolerance: The opposition parties are tolerated and protected. Citizens are also required to be tolerant of each other.
4. Free and fair election: There are free an fair and elections. Normally Elections in Tanzania are held after every five years.
5. .Economic freedom: From 1985 to date the government of Tanzania has allowed freedom of economy and private owner ship. Individuals are allowed to own properties, businesses and to choose their own work and join lab our unions.
6. Presence of multiparty syetem: politics Multiparty system in Tanzania was introduced in 1992 since then many political parties have been established with participants in different political affairs.
7. Legal rights: In Tanzania there is courts that heips people to fight for their rights.
8. Presence of rule of law: In Tanzania no one is above the law people are equal before the law. If there is violation of any law people are allowed to demand justice through a court of law.
DIFFERENT BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT DEMOCRACY
CHALLENGES FACING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DEMOCRACY IN TANZANIA
1. Existence of weak political parties: Political parties are still weak though more than 18 are registered. They lack strong structures and do not do well in elections. Citizens lack political alternative
2. Existence of weak separation of powers: The separation between the state organs is still weak, since the executive is perceived to dominate legislature and judiciary
3. Most opposition parties are not vibrant: Most opposition parties they lack sufficient opposition parties (members) to counter the ruling party in both the national assembly and house of representative.
4. Presence of low number of women representation in the parliament: For example, since 2005, the current percentage of seats for women is 30%. This has made women marginalized in sharing political power.
5. Restriction on the election procedures: some candidate who wants to come in to power are not allowed to contest in different position.
6. Weakness of national electoral commisdion (NEC): There are persistent and spread conditions that NEC lacks independence and neutrality. The officials of NEC are appointed by president and their functions under the prime minister’s office. This relation makes people doubt about the functions of NEC.
7. Officialdom: continues to intimidate independent minded civic society organizations. Such sentiments discourage popular participation, stiff debate and independent thinking
INDICATORS OF VIOLATION OF DEMOCRACY IN TANZANIA
1. Government intervention in people’s freedom: For example, banning some political demonstrations and meetings or assembly
2. Interfering the freedom of mass media: Most mass media they are not freely from writing information that attacks the state for security purposes but they just do what government want.
3. Unequal accessibility of political parties: There are some cases where opposition parties do not have access to press like television or radios while the ruling party uses the mass media.
4. Violation of free and fair election: There are some circumstances where opposition parties do not accept the results announced by the particular organ like NEC and ZEC. They claim that the ruling party has done some political maneuvers or manipulations.
5. Killing of the innocent people: This include suspected and ready handed thieves.
6. Existence of negative socio-cultural practices: like forced marriage, FGM, widow inheritance.
7. Making oppressive laws: For example, introduction of taxes while income of people is low.
8. Presence of corruption acts: by the government officials in different position.
STUDENTS PARTICIPATION ON DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES
Students can participate in democracy through the following ways:
1. Joining one of the political parties: This is to all who are 18 years or above where they will air out their views and learn more about democratic process in their localities.
2. Standing as candidates in an election: This is very possible to secondary schools’ students, college students and university students.
3. Taking part in the work of a political party: example all political parties strive to educate people about civic rights and criteria to choose the leaders. So, students should be a party of airing party policies so that to win members.
4. Staying informed about what is in parliament: This is because they are the ones being highly expected to form the future government and the expected leaders.
5. Participate in Youth organization: This is the right of the students and more to that is a bridge of airing students /youths’ interests, education and economic planning.
6. Voting over Leaders or issues: Example during elections in schools’ students can democratically choose prefects, monitors and head prefect. At the community level students have equal rights to vote over their leaders or issues within their locality.
7. Discussing public issues: This gives youth and students power to suggest, air their views, opinion and power to make effective decision on issues facing them and the society at large like the discussion on poverty, HIV/AIDS environmental problems, educational matters.
8. Attending community or civic meetings: This can allow them to contribute their ideas during meeting for development
MULTIPARTY SYSTEM
A political party: Is a group of people with common interests, beliefs and methods. Aimed at holding power in the country.
Multiparty system: Is a political system where by in the country there is many political parties. In order to have multiparty system more than one party must participate in elections and play role in the government. Normally Tanzania is multiparty country since 1992.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY IN TANZANIA
The political parties that existed at the time were United Tanganyika party (UTP), African national congress (A N C ). All Muslim national union of Tanganyika (A M N U T ) and Tanganyika African national union (TANU) it was the same in Zanzibar before her political independence in 1963, the political parties in Zanzibar were afro shiraz party (ASP) Zanzibar national party (ZNP) zanzinbar and pembapeoples party(ZPPP) and the short lived umma party.
The parties were well organized strong and very active in both Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Every political party was doing what was expected by its members. The 1965 constitutional changes created a one party state in both Tanganyika and Zanzibar.In Tanganyika [TANU] was the only political party while ASP was the only party in Zanzibar. From 1965 to 1992 Tanzania did not have a multiparty system.
EXAMPLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES FOUND IN TANZANIA
1. Chama cha mapinduzi (CCM)
2. Civic united front (CUF)
3. Chama cha democratic namaendeleo (CHADEMA)
4. Tanzania labour party (TLP)
5. National convention of construction and reform (NCCR-MAGEUZI)
6. Chama cha kaki naustawi (CHAUSTA)
7. United democracy party (UDP)
8. Jahaziasilia
9. Progressive party of Tanzania (PPT)
10. Democratic party (DP)
11. Tanzania democratic allaiance (TADEA)
12. Sautiyaumma (SAU).
13. National league for democracy party (NLDP)
14. National reconstruction alliance (NRA)
15. Democrasiamakini.
16. Forum for restoration of democracy. ( FORD)
17. Union for multi party democracy (UMD)
18. I C T WAZALENDO.
CHARACTERISTICS/FEATURES OF MULTIPARTY SYSTEM
1. Existence of free and fair election: During election many political parties, elect candidate for public officers on behalf of the citizens political parties launch election campaigns and a successful party forms the government.
2. There is free formation of non-state organizations and free political party, civil society organizations (CSOS): Non- Governmental organization (NGOs) become increasingly visible. These organizations widen the chance of participation and play a big role in challenging the government on a range of issues in social, political and economic issues. This is increased the accountability of the government.
3. Presence of pluralism: This is the form of democracy or rule in which political power is distributed among several institutions. It is also associated with competitive multiparty elections where there is separation of powers, active legislature which represents many people.
4. Presence of wide range of promoting public accountability: This is always done by the opposition parties. They are checking and challenge the accountability of the government in power.
5. Existence of Give a wide range representation of people’s interests: This is done through giving them many candidates whose policies and qualification differ so that they hear, judge and decide who should be elected.
6. The system is usually encourages respect to human rights: Example transparency participation, equal opportunity, all these sent on human rights body.
7. The system is usually provide freedom of opinion and expression to the citizens: for example every candidate from any political party is free to organize political rally or meeting to air his/her policies over people, so they select him/her party.
8. The system promotes high sense of political tolerance: There is political tolerance between people and political parties.
REASONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF MULTIPARTY SYSTEM
There are both internal and external factors for introduction of multiparty system in Tanzania.
INTERNAL FACTORS
1. The role of reforms outside the single party system: A number of individuals and groups of people from both mainland and Zanzibar launched their campaigns against single party system.
2. The role of Mwalimu Nyerere: Although Mwalimu Nyerere was the builder of the single party, it was him who called upon the only party (CCM) in power to accept Multiparty system.
3. The role of Nyalali Commission: The government formed a commission under the late Chief Justice Francis Nyalali to collect a country wide views on whether Tanzania should go for multipartism. The outcome showed that 77.2% of the interviewed people wanted to continue with the single party system. But Nyalali recommended that Tanzania should go for multipartism.
4. To promote free and fair election
5. To challenge the government on its running systems and actions
6. To bring the development. The ideas came from developmentalist ideologies.
7. To check the corruption. Political parties are used as watch dogs to the ruling party
8. To ensure and promote democracy. Because the colonial heritage was undemocratic. This has bought an ending debate at the global scale, whether Multiparty democracy is an ideal form of democracy in the world.
EXTERNAL FACTORS
1. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the communist block: which supported the single is a factor. United states of America and other capitalist countries launched campaigns against communism and promoted the forces that advanced multiparty system.
2. Neighboring countries accepted multipartism: This saved as a peace setter for multiparty development in the country.
3. Economic conditionalities: These include (SAP’s) IFM and word Bank imposed economic conditionally ties to the all African countries. Those who accepted multipartism were given financial assistance without difficult economic conditionalities.
4. Pressure from USA: as the capitalist nation worldwide. This overtook the USSR
5. The role played by International Mass Media like BBC, DW, VOA.
IMPORTANCE OF MULTIPART SYSTEM
1. It enables citizens to express their political views.
2. It promotes and respect human rights.
3. It promotes public accountability and transparency.
4. It promotes political tolerance.
5. It enables people to make their choice
6. It provides challenges to the ruling party.
7. It strengthen the democracy.
8. It helps in establishing the principle of criticism.
WEAKNESS OF MULTIPARTY SYSTEM
1. They can led to civil war to a young nation.
2. They are very expensive.
3. They can cause source of disunity in the country.
4. Source of abuse of power.
5. They can led to violation of human rights.
6. They can led to political instability.
DEMOCRATIC ELECTION
Election: is the process of choosing leaders or representatives. Democratic elections: are elections that conducted by considering the principles of democracy such as, political tolerance, freedom of expression and freedom of choice.
INDICATORS/ PRINCIPLE OF DEMOCTRATIC ELECTION
1. Presence of periodicity: Normally elections in Tanzania are conducted after every five years as a constitution demonstrated.
2. Presence of many political parties: There are many political parties which compete for different position in the government.
3. There must be inclusiveness: all adult citizen qualified has equal chance to vote and
to be voted.
4. Secret ballot: voting must be conducted in secretly way so as to makes people to vote without fear.
5. There must no votes cheating: both during voting, votes counting and during result declaration.
6. Free and fair political campaigns: all political parties and their candidates must have freedom of conducting their campaigns without police suppression.
7. The national electoral commission (NEC) must be fair to all political parties and their candidates.
8. Political tolerance: there must be free acceptance of voting results in a respected way.
9. There must no police suppression: both during campaigns and during voting.
10. Freedom of mass media: The function of mass media is to educate people to know what is going on during election time. This must be fair to all political parties and theur candidates.
PROCESSES/PROCEDURES OF DEMOCRATIC ELECTION IN TANZANIA
1. Registration of voters: This is the process of identifying people as voters. It is done by recording the voters in the Permanent Voter’s Register or Book. The book containing voters’ names. Registration is done through BVR-Biometric Voters Registration; registering voters through electronic system or machine. This electronic system started in 2015.
2. The selection of candidates (nominations of candidates in the party level): This is known as primary election which takes place in specific political party.
3. Locating voting stations: Reviewing and demarcating into different constituencies, and locating polling stations. For example, Tanzania united in 2015 and 2020 general elections had 264 constituencies: 214 in mainland and 50 in Islands.
4. Announcement on voting day.
5. Launching election campaigns.
6. Voting.
7. Vote counting: This is the process of compiling or summing up all cast votes from different polling stations.
8. Declaration of voting results: This is the final stage election process of announcing of the winner and looser of the election.
CODE OF CUNDUCT FOR POLITICAL PARTIES AND CANDIDATES
1. All candidates should respect the rights of other political parties: No party should exclude other political parties and candidates to campaign in any area. Avoid the use of inflammatory or abusive language. All political parties should use polite language throughout the campaign activities.
2. Absence of intimidation or disruption of meeting: like threats to kill, injure and beat political opponents.
4. Campaigns should be conducted peacefully: For example, people should not cause chaos or disorder at the meetings of others
5. Acceptance of results: When the result declared by electoral commission should pe once accepted. This should be adhered by all political parties.
6. Equal and fair campaign meeting: Campaign meeting should not be discriminatory basing on race, religion, ethnicity, tribe, sex-all citizens should be treated equally regardless their different conditions.
7. Respecting the environment: all political parties and their supporters should respect environment when posting or distributing materials. There should be environmental conservation and cleanliness after meeting.
8. The effective use of polite language: That is lingua franca such as Kiswahili. If the language is not understood, there should be a translator
9. Campaign materials or postures should be respected: That is, they should not be removed, defaced or destroyed. For example, pictures of the candidates, posters and magazines
10. Campaigns should be transparent: They should be conducted in an open area or place not in a hidden one.
IMPORTANCE OF DEMOCRATIC ELECTION
1. It enhance democracy: because they offer citizens an opportunity to participate in the political processes of their country, so elections provides a good indicator of whether or not democracy thrives in any country.
2. It helps to establish legitimate governments: This is the accepted government by the people. In democratic country, citizens are the ones which choose leaders into different positions; therefore, elections give a chance to people to choose the government of their choice (legitimacy / acceptance).
3. It ensures good governance: this is when elected officers are made accountable to the electorate (ie) they are installed and removed through free and fair elections. Therefore, the voters get a chance to listen and weigh points in favour or against each party or candidate before casting their votes.
4. It helps to promote a viable multiparty system: This is possible when candidates nominated to represents political parties are elected into office.
5. It helps people to makes their choice.
6. It promote political tolerance.
7. It ensure availability of qualified leaders.
8. It encourage peace in the country.
IMPLEMENTATION OF DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IN TANZANIA
1. Presence of free and fair election: Tanzania is one of the countries with free and fair election. This is because elections must be democratic.
2. Existence of many political parties: when many political parties complete for vacant seats for council, parliament or for presidency under equal treatment.
4. Presence of voting periodicity: Elections in Tanzania are periodic, usually held at prescribed/regular intervals in Tanzania elections are held after every five years.
5. Democratic elections are inclusive: This means that all adult citizens have equal chance to vote and being voted for, the right to vote must be exercised by a large proportion of the adult population. For election to be defective means that those elected hold the reins of power and are not symbolic leaders. Also elections are not limited to selecting candidates and or representatives. They may also be held to make decisions on policy issues.
6. Presence of free and fair political campaigns: Most political campaigns are conducted freely without any kind of discrimination to all political parties and their candidates. For example, during general period all political parties are permitted to conduct campaigns from different political parties.
7. Existence of inclusiveness: There is high chance to all adult citizens to participate in voting without any kind of discrimination.
8. Presence of secret ballot: Voting processes in Tanzania is done in a secretly way so that to make people to make their right decision.
However, the question of free and fair election in Tanzania is debatable as complains are much based on opposition parties.
THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION IN TANZANIA (NEC).
The national electoral commission (NEC): This is the self autonomous body authorized by the government for supervising, organizing and coordinating electrons in the country. Normally NEC as a self independent organ it supervise both either general or By- Elections. In Tanzania National Electoral Commission (NEC) organizes union and mainland Tanzania elections while in Zanzibar, it is ZEC-Zanzibar Electoral Commission NEC is provided for in Article 74 (1) of the constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977. It was established in 1993. The members of NEC were appointed at the first time on 14 January, 1993.
MEMBERS OF OF NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (NEC)
It consists of seven members and the Director of elections. All are appointed by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania. According to constitution of the united republic of Tanzania (URT) the Director is the chief secretary of Commission who is appointed by the president. Therefore these are:-
i. Chairman of elections (NEC). Judge Semistocles Kaijage.
ii. Vice chairman Justice.
iii. Others commissioners.
iv. Director of elections.
v. All employees of the commission and returning officers
vi. Registrars of political parties.
QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS OF NEC
The commission’s chairman and vice chairman are provided for in the constitution article 74 (1) (a) that the chairman of the commission must be a Judge of the high court or Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal appointed by the president.
NB: According to the constitution of united republic of Tanzania (URT) article 74 (3) certain people are not to be appointed as commissioners of electoral commission. Those persons include:-
i. Minister or a Deputy Ministers.
ii. A person holding any kind of office specified by a law enacted by parliament prohibiting a person holding such office to be appointed as a member of the electoral commission.
iii. A member of parliament or local government councilor.
iv. A leader of any political party like chairperson of village political party
NB: All officials involved in the conduct of elections are also prohibited from becoming members of any political party.
RESPONSIBILITIES/FUNCTIONS OF NEC
1. To supervise and coordinate the registration of voters in Presidential and Parliamentary elections in the United Republic.
2. To supervise and coordinate the conduct of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections for the purpose of Parliamentary elections.
3. To review the boundaries and demarcate the United Republic into various areas for the purposes of Parliamentary elections.
4. To supervise and coordinate the registration of votes and the conduct of the election of the councilors.
5. To perform any other functions in accordance with a law enacted by Parliament.
6. To make electoral regulations (guidelines).
ELECTORAL SYSTEMS IN TANZANIA/ VOTING SYSTEM
This is how votes are translated into seats. It determines how many votes and what kinds of votes are necessary to award seats to candidates and party in an election. Different Electoral systems produce different kinds of results and give voters different kinds of choices.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTORAL SYSTEM
1. Elections are regular and fair.
2. Will of majority is achieved.
3. High level of participation by the electorate.
4. There is maximum possible franchise (civil right to vote).
5. Voting is accessible (polling stations must be accessible to people in terms of geographical locations).
6. Minority interests are taken into consideration.
TYPES OF ELECTORAL SYSTEM
i. Proportional representation (PR).
ii. Majority/ simple majority/FPP
iii. Mixed system
1. PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION (PR) SYSTEM
Proportional representation: This is the general name for a class of voting system that attempt to make the percentage of offices awarded to candidates reflects as possible the percentage of votes received in an election.
Advocates of this system contends that it is the best electoral formula because it ensures that seats are allocated according to the percentage of popular votes obtained in an election. In proportional representation seats are allocated to political parties in proportion to the number of the votes won in an election. Thus, the numbers of votes a political party receives is taken as an indicator of the level of support the party commands among the voters.
The idea of proportional representation is indeed supported by small and weak political parties because it ensures their representation in parliament.
FEATURES OF PROPOOTIONAL REPRESENTATION SYSTEM
i. Requires the vast areas (multimember districts) (diverse groups in the society).
ii. Counting and seat determination process are generally complex and immediately transparent.
iii. Candidates are elected based on the total percentage of the votes cast for their party.
iv. Fairness is a key to the components of this system.
v. It ensures that each groups or sect is represented in parliament.
ADVANTAGES OF PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION SYSTEM
i. Lessens the possibility of the dictatorship (domination) of big political parties over small political parties by ensuring minority representation.
ii. It allows creative and constructive debates due to the presence of diverse groups in the parliament.
iii. Reduce the cost of by – elections since the party will pick the next name in the line from the party list used in the last election when vacancy exists.
iv. It Save money.
WEAKNESS OF PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION SYSTEM
i. Voters do not have direct say on who becomes their representative.
ii. It is too complicated and will confuse voters, more candidates and parties to run for office. Therefore, requires new kinds of ballots that will be too complicated and confusions.
iii. Weakness representatives link due to transport problems.
iv. Encourages unstable coalitions and legislature Gridlock. It will take time to decide who will become or form a government.
v. Requires more expensive campaigns. Large size districts used in PR would increase the costs of campaigns because each place must be covered.
vi. Increase the administrative complexity and Expense of elections. New methods of conducting elections to administer election to learn.
2. SIMPLE MAJORITY OR FIRST PAST THE POST
Simple majority system: This is the simplest and most common type of electoral system. In this system, the candidate secures a simple number of voters (majority) for that constituency. This system may also refer to a voting requirement of more than half of all ballot cost or a voting requirement of a specified level of support which is greater than the “one half” there should use for majority. In plurality voting to win a candidate combined, if there are more than two candidates standing, then a plurality vote may decide the results.
NB: Itmay be referred to as a winner- takes all or block voting in a multimember district. (constituency, electoral area, ward etc).
It may be referred to first – past – post (FPTP), Simple majority in a system based on a single member district. (Tanzania is one of the countries with simple majority system. Also, may former British colonies in Africa Practice this system).
FEATURES OF SIMPLE MAJORITY
i. In each constituency the winner takes the whole constituency even if she/he did not win the majority of all the votes cast in the election.
ii. Only a simple majority is required to secure a seat in parliament.
iii. A country is divided into a number of constituencies where a single member of parliament normally represents each constituency, although some variations of the system include.
iv. multi – member electoral constituencies.
ADVANTAGES OF SIMPLE MAJORITY SYSTEM
i. Promote the accountability of the member of the parliament to the electorate.
ii. It creates stable governments at the national level because it produces clear electoral results hence the government will be formed without worrying about social fragmentation of national level.
iii. It tends tie individual MP’S with their political party and the electorate at the constituency level. It is this bond that makes the MP move response to constituency concerns.
iv. It establishes more legitimate government especially if MP’S will be accountable and responsive to constituency.
v. It is simple to use; particularly where a sizable percentage of the electorate is illiterate.
DISADVANTAGES OF SIMPLE MAJORITY SYSTEM
i. Encourages political arrogance on the part of major political parties. It tends to favor the development of two or three major political parties.
ii. Creates high degrees of disproportionality between the votes won and the seats allocated to political parties. This disproportionality is caused by the fact that the first- past-the post system favors the political party with the most votes in each constituency.
iii. Electoral results do not necessarily reflect the level of party support in the country. Example in a constituency with many contesting political parties, a candidate may get less than fifty percent of the votes, but because the other candidates received fewer votes individually, the candidate with the simple majority is declared the winner.
iv. It freezes the party system to such a degree that the alteration of parties in governments and opposition is not perceived as likely or natural accurate. In other winds once a party has established itself in office, it becomes difficult to vote it out of office.
v. Simple majority single member – constituency system is also accused of shutting out minority voices (ie small parties) as they will remain excluded in representative polity.
vi. Most general election in Africa countries and in some parts of the world are not won on policy considerations but rather on the basis of the personality and perceived capability of these individuals to make qualitative changes in the lives of the voters.
QUALIFICATION AND CONDITIONS FOR DIFFERENT CANDIDATES
Candidates: are citizens who contest a seat in general elections. they must qualify according to the national constitution.
A). Conditions for presidential candidates
i. He or she must be a citizen of the united republic of Tanzania by birth.
ii. He or she must aged from 40 years and above.
iii. He or she must be a member and a candidate nominated by apolitical party
iv. He or she must ve a member of parliament or the house of representatives
v. He or she must be nominated by 200 supporters who are registered as voters. Where out of them, from each of ten regions two of which must be in Zanzibar.
B. Conditions and qualifications of parliamentary candidate
i. He or she must be a citizen aged 21 years or above and can read and write in Kiswahili and English.
ii. He or she mus be a member of and sponsored by a political party.
iii. He or she must know to read and write Kiswahili or English
iv. He or she must have a less than 25 sponsors who are registered as a voters in the relevant constituency.
v. Make a statutory declaration that he or she has all the qualifications required for being a candidate.
vi. He or she must deposit Tsh. 50,000 with the National Electoral commission.
vii. He or she should not have been convicted by any court for the offence of evade tax.
C. Conditions for ward council candidates
i. He or she must have reached the age of 21 years and above
ii. He or she must be a citizen of Tanzania by birth
iii. He or she must be the resident of the particular area in which one is contesting
iv. He or she must be a member of political party and nominated by the registered political party
v. He or she must have not been convicted by any court of law for tax evasion in the period of five years before election
vi. He or she must have not less than 10 sponsors who registered as voters in the a particular ward
vii. He or she must deposit 5000 shillings to the supervisor of election.
D. Conditions for voters.
i. He or she should be a citizen of Tanzania by birth.
ii. He or she should be registered as a voter
iii. He or she should be aged from 18 years or above.
iv. He or she must be a person of sound mind.
v. He or she should not been detained in the court of law for any case.
TERMINOLOGIES ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTION GENERAL ELECTION
General election: This is the periodic and a national election that takes place throughout the country. It involves choosing the president, members of parliament and ward councilors. In Tanzania, it is held after five years.
BY-ELECTIONS
By-election: Is the election conducted to fill the vacancy of the representative of a certain position.
Causes/Conditions for by-elections
i. When a member of parliament or councilor die
ii. When a member of parliament or councilor resign.
iii. When the parliament is dissolved before the end of its life time.
iv. When a member of parliament fails to discharge his or her duties.
POLLING STATION
Polling station: This is the place or building where the process of voting takes place. It can be sited at school, dispensary, government office, churches or any other places set by NEC.
POLLING OR VOTING CHAMBER
Polling chamber: This is a special selected room in a polling station where a voters puts their ballot paper before casting it in to the ballot box. Sometimes, it is also called voting or polling booth.
BALLOT BOX
Ballot box: This is a special box or container in which the voters are casting their votes. Ballot box have different colours in relation to type of candidate like president, MP and councilor
BALLOT PAPER
Ballot paper: This is a special paper on which the voter chooses and puts a required mark under the party or a person whom he or she wishes to vote for.
VOTERS/ELECTORATES
Electorates or Voters: These are people who are registered to vote in election to choose leaders or representatives.
ELECTION OBSERVERS
Election observers: These are the viewers or watchers who observe the general election. They can be local or domestic and international observers. They pay attention to the problems like fraud, intimidation or violence. Observers of election can declare or write a report that election was free and fair or not.
ELECTION CANDIDATE(S)
Election candidate: This is a person who is contesting to hold a political post or seat. Candidates come from different political parties.
POLLING DAY
Polling day: This is the day on which people go to vote in an election. Polling day is announced by the NEC.
VOTER REGISTRATION
Voter registration: This is the process of being identified as a voter, or is the process of identifying people as voters. Voters are written or recorded in the permanent voters’ register (PVR) (the book that contains all names of voters).
POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
Campaigns: These are the series of political meetings designed to win voters for certain candidates of political party or proposal. These are sometimes called political rallies
POLITICAL PARTIES
Political parties: This is a voluntary organization consisted of a group of people who agree a common belief, aims and methods. its objective is to seize political power to direct or influence the actions of the government.
Also, it can be defined as a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government.
FUNCTIONS OF A POLITICAL PARTIES
1. To contest elections: parties put forward different policies and programs and the voters choose from them. Example in Tanzania CCM, CUF, etc. contested for election in several election.
2. Making laws: when parties come to power, the make laws for the country, after a long debate in the legislature.
3. Parties form governments: Parties recruit leaders, train them and then make Ministries to run the government in the way they want.
4. Watching the actions of ruling party: Parties that lose in elections, play the role of opposition to the parties in power by criticizing the government for its failure or wrong policies.
5. Shaping public opinions: They raise and highlight issues. Parties sometimes form movement for the resolution of problems faced by people.
6. Easy access of citizen services to government machinery and welfare schemes: It is easy for an ordinary citizen to approach a local party leader than government officer. That’s why they fall close to parties even when they do not fully trust them.
7. To educate citizens: This is both ruling and opposition parties, they make citizens to be aware of the politics of a country and other issues for their development.
OTHER CONCEPTS RELATED TO POLITICAL PARTY
Party policies: These principles used to map out or set out the direction in which the party wants to lead the society. These policies explain the objectives and goals to be attained after election. They usually address the existing problems. They also are used to convince the voters and win them over. Example, CCM has revolution policy while CUF has equality and Justice.
Party programmes: These are practical projects or plans to be implemented in a specific time limit. Refers to set of activities with specific goals to be achieved in a specific time. Programmes state what they intend to achieve, strategies for achieving it, the costs involved and the personnel to be involved. At the end of programs period, the party evaluates the degree of success, the problem faced and decides on ways for improvement in future.
Party Manifesto: This refers to a public declaration of principles, policies and objectives especially one issued by political movement or candidate. It is the publication of political party that comprises the policies that will be implemented after being elected.
Party organization: This establishes the organizational structure of the party and the roles played at each level. It also establishes a clear line of authority from the lowest to the highest level. It includes party officials, members and party organs (department).
Party ideology: This is the set of ideas and beliefs that form the basis of an economic and political system that a certain party believes to be good for formation. For example, CCM ideology is “DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM”
ROLES OF OPPOSITION PARTIES IN MULTIPARTY SYSTEM (WATCHDOGS)
Opposition party is the group of people with their parties that lost election. For example, CHEDEMA, CUF.
1. Keenly observe the actions of the ruling party and its government.
2. Keep informing the public on what has gone wrong but also commenting when and how to perform well.
3. Recruiting new members. These increases its chances of taking control of government in the next general elections.
4. Showing love for the country.
5. Cooperating with the ruling party in running nation
6. Showing discipline and self- control in handling political issues such as conflicts, differences in opinion.
POLITICAL TOLERANCE BY ACCEPTING CRITICISM AND DEFEAT
Political tolerance refers to acceptance of constructive criticism and defeat in political matters in order to keep peace and harmony in the country. For example, accepting the results of election when are announced. In a democratic country, all citizens are supposed to demonstrate both the spirit of tolerance and accepting constructive criticism and defeat.
The spirit of tolerance means, the inner behavior of being in the mood of unpleasant situation. Spirit of tolerance helps people to accept constructive criticism and defeat during the announcement of the results. This is the diplomatic problem-solving technique between the political parties and their followers to avoid engaging in quarrel, conflicts or wars. This acts as a resolving bridge to political matters in order to ensure peace and security to all people in the country.
Impacts associated with lack of political tolerance
Impacts of lack of tolerance, acceptance of defeat and Criticism are:-
i. Conflicts.
ii. Civil wars.
iii. Leading to refugees in the countries.
iv. Death of people.
v. Emergence of coup groups against the ruling party for example, in Angola, Burundi, Rwanda and DRC and Retarded economic development in the country.
In Tanzania for example, civil wars in 2000 election results in Zanzibar led to the formation demonstration of certain groups of people and ended in bloodshed.
This political tolerance is very important in any democratic country.
GUIDING QUESTIONS
1. Validate the statement that, constitution is quite the democracy. Six points.
2. Assess six contributions of Tanzanian government on broadening democracy in the country.
3. Assess six challenges liming democratic practices in Tanzania.
4. Prove the statement that, to a large extent most elections conducted in Tanzania are adhere all principles of democratic election. Six points.
5. How free and fair elections are ensured in Tanzania? Six points.
6. By giving six points show how democracy is implemented in Tanzania.
7. By giving six points highlight six indicators of violation of democratic practices in Tanzania.
8. By giving six points, show how the Tanzanian students can participate on the democratic processes.
9. Multiparty system is more democracy . Discuss this statement by giving six points.
10. Elaborate six weakness of having many political parties to the country like Tanzania.
11. critically examine six conditions/principles of democratic election in Tanzania.
12. Analyse six code of conducts for political parties and their candidates.
13. Democratic/free and fair election is more democratic. Discuss this statement by giving six points.
14. Prove the statement that, to a large extent most elections conducted in Tanzania are adhere all principles of democratic election. Six points.
15. How free and fair elections are ensured in Tanzania? Six points.
16. By giving six points show how democracy is implemented in Tanzania. Tanzania is among of democratic country in which the element of democracy is implemented in the following ways,
17. By giving six points highlight six indicators of violation of democratic practices in Tanzania.
18. By giving six points, show how the Tanzanian students can participate on the democratic processes.
19. Multiparty system is more democracy . Discuss this statement by giving six points.
20. Elaborate six weakness of having many political parties to the country like Tanzania.
21. critically examine six conditions/principles of democratic election in Tanzania.
22. Analyse six code of conducts for political parties and their candidates.
23. Democratic/free and fair election is more democraticy. Discuss this statement by giving six points.
