Today’s article is my own individual assessment of the 30 years of practicing multi-party politics in Tanzania. On 1st July, 2022; Tanzania turned 30 in its political life as a multi-party democracy; having transited from a 27- year period of “one-party’ democracy under the country’ founder President; Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. In this context, I am using the word assessment” in its meaning of “giving an opinion about something”. By the grace of God, ours was a very smooth transition; despite the fact that such occurrences have never been easy times in many parts of the world. Tanzania sailed through this difficult transition, totally united; and we have successfully maintained this valuable tradition of national unity and solidarity; despite some inevitable challenges.
The major initial challenge was the fact that, according to the findings of the “Nyalali Commission” referred to below, 80% of the population was opposed to the idea of changing the political system to multi-partysm. But, fortunately, wisdom “ prevailed, and the change was effected smoothly, and unanimously.
The major initial challenge was the fact that, according to the findings of the “Nyalali Commission” referred to below, 80% of the population was opposed to the idea of changing the political system to multi-partysm. But, fortunately, wisdom “ prevailed, and the change was effected smoothly, and unanimously.
Some reflections about multi-party democracy.
“Multi-party democracy” basically means electoral democracy. Because the words ‘multi-party democracy are generally used to mean “the system of constituting the government Authority, and making that Authority accountable to its citizens. And this is achieved by ensuring that the country’s ‘rulers’ are selected periodically by the votes of the citizens of the relevant jurisdiction.
“Multi-party democracy” basically means electoral democracy. Because the words ‘multi-party democracy are generally used to mean “the system of constituting the government Authority, and making that Authority accountable to its citizens. And this is achieved by ensuring that the country’s ‘rulers’ are selected periodically by the votes of the citizens of the relevant jurisdiction.
Hence, a ‘nation state’ is deemed to have a ‘democratic political system’ only if its government is selected through transparent, honest, fair, and periodic elections.
In other words, the primary purpose of elections is to legitimize the political system, by giving an opportunity to the electorate to exercise their supervisory function over the political party which was running the outgoing government, by re-electing it if its performance was satisfactory, or otherwise, showing it the exit door”.
We have a whole new generation.
A ‘generation’ is usually considered to be about 30 years, which is the average time in which children grow up and become adults. Hence, since this political change was effected a generation ago; it may be helpful to start by explaining the circumstances under which these decisions were made, and the reasons thereof.
For the avoidance of any doubt, I hasten to say that these decisions (to change the political system to the multi-party dispensation) were not made under any undue internal or external pressure.
We have a whole new generation.
A ‘generation’ is usually considered to be about 30 years, which is the average time in which children grow up and become adults. Hence, since this political change was effected a generation ago; it may be helpful to start by explaining the circumstances under which these decisions were made, and the reasons thereof.
For the avoidance of any doubt, I hasten to say that these decisions (to change the political system to the multi-party dispensation) were not made under any undue internal or external pressure.
Our decision-makers merely responded positively to the “wind of change” that was blowing across continents, and particularly within the African continent; where a substantial number of countries were rapidly abandoning the hitherto ‘one-party state’ governance systems, and opting for political pluralism.
I had the very good fortune of participating in the meetings of the ruling party organs which made the relevant decisions; and can willingly testify, even under oath, about those facts.
The process of change.
The commencement of the process that culminated in these historic decisions, was motivated by political events which took place in Eastern Europe during the year 1989; where strong and effective demands suddenly emerged, and soon led to the downfall of almost all the communist parties (which were the ruling parties) in those countries). These demands were calling for “ greater democracy based on multi-party politics; the observance of human rights, and the introduction of a market economy”.
But similar demands quickly emerged also in several African countries, in many instances causing violence and loss of life. This is what actually motivated CCM, Tanzania’s ruling party, to start giving serious consideration to this matter. This consideration started at a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), held in February, 1991. According to the party records relating thereto, “this meeting made a very careful review of the state of politics in the world generally, in the light of the events which had taken place in 1989 in Eastern Europe, followed by some of the African countries”. It was finally resolved as follows:-
The process of change.
The commencement of the process that culminated in these historic decisions, was motivated by political events which took place in Eastern Europe during the year 1989; where strong and effective demands suddenly emerged, and soon led to the downfall of almost all the communist parties (which were the ruling parties) in those countries). These demands were calling for “ greater democracy based on multi-party politics; the observance of human rights, and the introduction of a market economy”.
But similar demands quickly emerged also in several African countries, in many instances causing violence and loss of life. This is what actually motivated CCM, Tanzania’s ruling party, to start giving serious consideration to this matter. This consideration started at a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), held in February, 1991. According to the party records relating thereto, “this meeting made a very careful review of the state of politics in the world generally, in the light of the events which had taken place in 1989 in Eastern Europe, followed by some of the African countries”. It was finally resolved as follows:-
(i) That judging from what had taken place, a change of the country’s political system was inevitable.
(ii) That a national debate on this matter be initiated throughout the country
(iii) That in order to facilitate a proper conduct of this debate, the President is hereby authorized to appoint a Commission, which will coordinate the views and opinions expressed the people for that purpose”.
These resolutions are what led to the appointment, on 27th February 1991, of the ‘Nyalali Commission’ by then President Ali Hassan Mwinyi; which was tasked to “collect and coordinate the views of the people regarding the question whether, or not, our country’s political system should be changed to the multi-party system”. The commission was given a whole year in which to complete its who, and submit its Report.
All of these ‘leisurely’ proceedings provide sufficient evidence to confirm that the ruling party was not acting in a hurry, or under any undue external pressure.
My personal assessment. As we have state above, the main objective in opting for the multi-party political system was, basically, “to provide an opportunity for the electorate to exercise its supervisory function over the ruling party, by expressing their judgment in the manner they cast their votes at a general election”. If they are satisfied with its performance, they will return it to power; but otherwise, they will show it the exit door.
My personal assessment. As we have state above, the main objective in opting for the multi-party political system was, basically, “to provide an opportunity for the electorate to exercise its supervisory function over the ruling party, by expressing their judgment in the manner they cast their votes at a general election”. If they are satisfied with its performance, they will return it to power; but otherwise, they will show it the exit door.
Elections are universally regarded as the ‘central feature’ of multi-party democracy; with great emphasis being placed on “the need for such elections are free and fair”, by giving equal opportunity to all the competing political parties. And the basic objectives of elections (according to the books of authority on this subject), are the following:-
(i) “To create a sentiment of popular participation and consent, in the choice of political leaders.
(ii) To provide for the orderly succession of leadership, when the term of office of their predecessors, comes to an end.
Have these objectives been achieved ?
In my humble opinion, a ‘good’, its successes and challenges; in relation to its declared objectives. Thus, based on this criteria, I wish to submit that the multi-party objectives have, to a very large extent, been successfully achieved; even though challenges have also been observed in certain specific aspects; as will be amplified in the paragraphs below.
The successes
The following successes have been duly recorded in the relevant official documents:-
The provision of a “fair and equal space” to all parties.
Upon re-entry back into the multiparty system in 1992, the ruling party and its government, took appropriate legal measures to ensure the availability of a “fair and equal opportunity”, to all the competing parties; when a law was passed to define the sole purpose of political parties, which was “to participate in elections at both the national and the local authority levels, with the aim of winning the relevant election and forming the government of the day at the relevant level.
Other laws were also put in place for that purpose (of affording a fair and equal opportunity to all competing political parties). These included :-
Have these objectives been achieved ?
In my humble opinion, a ‘good’, its successes and challenges; in relation to its declared objectives. Thus, based on this criteria, I wish to submit that the multi-party objectives have, to a very large extent, been successfully achieved; even though challenges have also been observed in certain specific aspects; as will be amplified in the paragraphs below.
The successes
The following successes have been duly recorded in the relevant official documents:-
The provision of a “fair and equal space” to all parties.
Upon re-entry back into the multiparty system in 1992, the ruling party and its government, took appropriate legal measures to ensure the availability of a “fair and equal opportunity”, to all the competing parties; when a law was passed to define the sole purpose of political parties, which was “to participate in elections at both the national and the local authority levels, with the aim of winning the relevant election and forming the government of the day at the relevant level.
Other laws were also put in place for that purpose (of affording a fair and equal opportunity to all competing political parties). These included :-
(a) providing the opposition parties equal access to the government controlled media, during the campaign period;
(b) providing ‘freedom of assembly’ to all political parties and their candidates.
(c) For the first multi-party general election of 1995; the government provided equal financial resources to all the participating political parties, by granting an equal subsidy amount of one million shillings to each of their parliamentary election candidates, to help him to cover his valid election expenses. This was before the formula for providing regular government subsidies to political parties had not yet been determined.
(ii) The fair conduct of multi-party elections by the Electoral Authorities.
This is another achievement. Except for the unfortunate incident of fatal violence which occurred in Pemba in January 2001, during a demonstration organized by the Opposition CUF party in order to demonstrate their disagreement with the results of the 2000 Zanzibar Presidential election; a tragedy which reportedly caused the death 26 persons (including a police man who was on duty in the path of that demonstration); the multiparty elections on Mainland Tanzania have generally been carried out peacefully, and with no post-election violence, or other breaches of the law.
The challenges.
Opposition political parties have consistently claimed that they have “no confidence” in the National Electoral Commission; accusing it , and specifically its Returning Officers’ (who are government officials at the District level) of “favouring the ruling party CCM”. These accusations were based primarily on the allegation that because the Commission members are appointed by the President, who is at the same time the Chairman of the ruling party; “they would be tempted to favour the ruling party candidates”.
But such suspicions were basically unfounded, simply because this Commission was composed of high judicial officers, who are generally trusted to carry out their duties “without fear or favour” And, indeed, many independent stake holders, including International observers, have confirmed that our multi-party elections have been conducted fairly, and in accordance with the provision of the relevant laws and Regulations.
Emerging challenges were amicably resolved.
Another achievement relates to the amicable solutions to the election complaints which were raised, and the reliefs that were obtained through the legal court processes; known as “election petitions”.
The first multi-party electoral competitions that took place following the return to the multi-party system; were the by-elections which were held in four different constituents of Kwahani; Ileje; Igunga; and Kigoma Urban.
In the Kigoma Urban constituency bye-election; the CCM candidate was declared the winner of that election, with 9,475 votes (67%); against the Opposition CHADEMA candidate’s 5,366 (35.5%), the loosing CHADEMA party candidate then filed an ‘election petition’ at the High Court of Tanzania, seeking to nullify that election on ground that it was not ‘free and fair’; allegedly for non-compliance with the provisions of the election law.
(c) For the first multi-party general election of 1995; the government provided equal financial resources to all the participating political parties, by granting an equal subsidy amount of one million shillings to each of their parliamentary election candidates, to help him to cover his valid election expenses. This was before the formula for providing regular government subsidies to political parties had not yet been determined.
(ii) The fair conduct of multi-party elections by the Electoral Authorities.
This is another achievement. Except for the unfortunate incident of fatal violence which occurred in Pemba in January 2001, during a demonstration organized by the Opposition CUF party in order to demonstrate their disagreement with the results of the 2000 Zanzibar Presidential election; a tragedy which reportedly caused the death 26 persons (including a police man who was on duty in the path of that demonstration); the multiparty elections on Mainland Tanzania have generally been carried out peacefully, and with no post-election violence, or other breaches of the law.
The challenges.
Opposition political parties have consistently claimed that they have “no confidence” in the National Electoral Commission; accusing it , and specifically its Returning Officers’ (who are government officials at the District level) of “favouring the ruling party CCM”. These accusations were based primarily on the allegation that because the Commission members are appointed by the President, who is at the same time the Chairman of the ruling party; “they would be tempted to favour the ruling party candidates”.
But such suspicions were basically unfounded, simply because this Commission was composed of high judicial officers, who are generally trusted to carry out their duties “without fear or favour” And, indeed, many independent stake holders, including International observers, have confirmed that our multi-party elections have been conducted fairly, and in accordance with the provision of the relevant laws and Regulations.
Emerging challenges were amicably resolved.
Another achievement relates to the amicable solutions to the election complaints which were raised, and the reliefs that were obtained through the legal court processes; known as “election petitions”.
The first multi-party electoral competitions that took place following the return to the multi-party system; were the by-elections which were held in four different constituents of Kwahani; Ileje; Igunga; and Kigoma Urban.
In the Kigoma Urban constituency bye-election; the CCM candidate was declared the winner of that election, with 9,475 votes (67%); against the Opposition CHADEMA candidate’s 5,366 (35.5%), the loosing CHADEMA party candidate then filed an ‘election petition’ at the High Court of Tanzania, seeking to nullify that election on ground that it was not ‘free and fair’; allegedly for non-compliance with the provisions of the election law.
He cited several alleged breaches of the law, including corruption on the part of the winning party. After the hearing process, the petitioner was found the court to have proved his case to the required level of acceptability thus allowing his petition to succeed. This court judgment attracted significant international attention ; which was manifested by its subsequent publication in the Commonwealth Law Bulletin, (Vol. 21, number 4), of October 1995.
On the domestic front, this judgment also produced a number of positive outcomes. For it gave great encouragement to the opposition political parties, on the realization that they could, in fact, successfully challenge the ‘giant’ ruling part CCM in an election petition. It also enhanced public understanding regarding:-
(a) That the proper course of action to be taken in cases of disagreements with any election results, is to petition the court of competent jurisdiction, for an appropriate relief to be granted.
(b) the need for all the competing parties in an election, to strictly observe and comply with all the legal requirements governing elections.
In addition, it prompted the National Electoral Commission to issue new and more detailed guidelines, regulations, in which the Commission prescribed the period for election campaigns; and the requirement for political parties to refrain from using intimidation, or abusive or defamatory language, against other parties; (offences which had been highlighted in the said petition case).
piomsekwa@gmail. com/0754767576.
piomsekwa@gmail. com/0754767576.
Source: Cde Msekwa and Daily News today.
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