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| Election Stakeholders Meet in Mwanza on Voter Registration Update, August 9, 2024.Photo: Mwanza Press Club |
By Adonis Byemelwa
Financial
constraints are pushing opposition parties in Mwanza to appeal for financial
support from the National Electoral Commission (NEC), revealing the deep-seated
issues of political and governmental overlap in Tanzania.
The
historical blurring of lines between the ruling party, CCM, and opposition
forces underlines a persistent challenge in Tanzania's political landscape.
Since the onset of multiparty politics in 1992, the supposed separation between
political entities and state power has been increasingly compromised.
This
trend is evident from former police commanders like Zelothe Stephen, who became
CCM chairperson for Arusha, to retired judges such as the late Augustine
Ramadhan, who pursued a presidential nomination through CCM.
Moreover,
military commanders from the Tanzania People's Defense Force often transition
into political roles as regional and district commissioners, raising questions
about whether Nyerere's 1970s political system is adapting to the digital age.
Yesterday,
August 9, 2024, opposition parties in Mwanza voiced their concerns at a meeting
with election stakeholders, urging the NEC to consider funding allowances for
their election agents during the voter registration update process.
Ahmad Mkangwa, chair of the National Reconstruction
Alliance (NRA) in Mwanza, articulated that many smaller parties lack the
financial resources to cover their agents' expenses. "As you know, the
capabilities of parties vary. We can't have some parties going barefoot while
others are equipped," Mkangwa emphasized, highlighting the uneven playing
field.
Critics
like Buberwa Kaiza have long argued that such financial disparities undermine
the democratic process. Kaiza, a vocal critic of Tanzania's electoral system,
contends that these financial hurdles disproportionately affect smaller parties
and their ability to compete fairly. "The gap in financial resources not
only affects party operations but also the overall integrity of the electoral
process," Kaiza remarked.
In
response to the request for funding, Election Director Ramadhani Kailima
clarified that NEC is not legally obligated to provide allowances for agents.
He urged parties to focus on mobilizing voters to update their information,
stressing that this approach would empower citizens to select their preferred
leaders.
"The
commission cannot provide allowances as it is not legally required to do so.
Parties should encourage citizens to come forward and update their details to
ensure they can elect the leaders they want," Kailima stated.
Prof.
Teddy Maliyamkono, former chair of the East African School of Professional
Studies (ESAUP) and author of "Who Votes in Tanzania and Why," has
emphasized the importance of addressing these financial inequalities.
Maliyamkono
argues that such support is crucial for ensuring fair competition and upholding
democratic principles. "To achieve a truly democratic process, we must
ensure that all parties, regardless of their financial status, have equal
opportunities to participate in the electoral process," Maliyamkono said
in one of his think pieces.
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| The Late Prof Teddy Maliyamkono. Photo: Courtesy |
Sophia
Donald from the NGO Voice of Women also raised concerns about the scheduling of
registration updates. She argued that the seven-day period allocated for voter
registration in Mwanza might be insufficient, especially in areas where
people’s movements are influenced by fishing cycles.
"In
Ukerewe, there are more than 15 islands with permanent settlements. Traveling
from one island to another can take over seven hours. I'm worried that the
seven-day window might not be sufficient for everyone to update their
details," Donald said, highlighting logistical challenges faced by
residents in remote areas.
Chadema
Chairman Freeman Mbowe has echoed similar concerns, pointing out that the
limited registration period could disadvantage voters in underserved regions.
"The scheduling of voter registration updates must account for the diverse
needs and circumstances of all communities. Otherwise, we risk disenfranchising
large segments of the population," Mbowe asserted.
Kailima
reassured attendees that the seven-day registration period should be adequate
for residents to update their records. He encouraged early participation and
advised against waiting until the last minute. "In Katoro (Geita), we
added five machines due to the high turnout. Seven days are enough, but
culturally, even if we extended it to a month, people would still come at the
last moment," Kailima noted.
NEC
Chair Judge Jacobs Mwambegele announced that the third phase of the voter
registration update would cover Mwanza and Shinyanga regions, scheduled from
August 21 to 27, 2024. "Registration centers will open from 2:00 AM to
12:00 PM. Mwanza will have 2,251 centers this year, an increase from the 2,178
centers used in the 2019/20 update," Mwambegele detailed, outlining the
logistics for the upcoming phase.
The
ongoing financial struggles among opposition figures often lead them to switch
sides or seek alternative forms of support, compromising their political positions.
This shift underscores the urgent need for reforms to ensure fairness and
integrity in Tanzania’s electoral system. With poverty driving many opposition
members to seek financial backing from sources aligned with the ruling party,
the need for equitable support mechanisms becomes increasingly apparent.