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2007 Assessment

Tanzania: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Tanzania: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Voting & Citizen Participation
Indicators		Score
14	Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?	100
15	Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?	83
16	Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?	90

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?

14a: In law, universal and equal adult suffrage is guaranteed to all citizens.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania

14b: In law, there is a legal framework requiring that elections be held at regular intervals.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania

Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?

15a: In practice, all adult citizens can vote.

Score:

100

Comments: There are regular reports of hindrances for suspected opposition supporters to register and vote in Zanzibar.

References: Kjetil Tronvoll Senior Researcher Norwegian Centre for Human Rights Sept. 28, 2007 Oslo, Norway

15b: In practice, ballots are secret or equivalently protected.

Score:

100

Comments: There are reports of secrecy being compromised, particularly in Zanzibar.

References: Kjetil Tronvoll Senior Researcher Norwegian Centre for Human Rights 28 Sept. 28, 2007 Oslo, Norway

15c: In practice, elections are held according to a regular schedule.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Brian Cooksey Sept. 20, 2007 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Max Mmuya Sept. 18, 2007 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Researcher's own observations

Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?

16a: In law, all citizens have a right to form political parties.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania

16b: In law, all citizens have a right to run for political office.

Score:

YES

Comments: WIth the proviso that they can only run as candidates of registered political parties. A high-court ruling that this violates the Constitution has not yet been heeded by the government.

References: Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania

Peer Review Comments: Yes, it means there would be a chance for someone to run as an independent candidate.

16c: In practice, all citizens are able to form political parties.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: While there is no guarantee of electoral success, political parties can form freely without opposition. <p>50 Score Criteria: Some barriers to formation are present, such as burdensome registration requirements that may not be fairly applied. Some parties\' political viewpoints may draw pressure from the government, such as surveillance or intimidation. Some political parties or organizations may have extra barriers to getting on a ballot. <p>0 Score Criteria: Some political parties are effectively barred from forming through some manner of official or unofficial pressure. This may include threats, arrest, or violence from competing parties or other groups.$

Comments:

References: Rakesh Rajani Founding Chairman of Policy Forum Sept. 20, 2007 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Brian Cooksey Sept. 20, 2007 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

16d: In practice, all citizens can run for political office.

Score:

100

Comments: Only candidates of registered political parties may run.

References: Rakesh Rajani Founding Chairman of Policy Forum Sept. 20, 2007 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Brian Cooksey Sept. 20, 2007 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

16e: In practice, an opposition party is represented in the legislature.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The opposition party always has some influence on the proceedings of the legislature. The opposition party can introduce legislation or bring pending matters to a vote without the consent of the ruling party. <p>50 Score Criteria: The opposition party has influence on the proceeding of the legislature, but it is limited in scope. The opposition\'s ability to force votes or publicly debate certain topics may be limited. <p>0 Score Criteria: The opposition party has only token participation in the legislature\'s proceedings and cannot advance legislation or force a debate.$

Comments:

References: Interviews with a wide range of academics and civil society representatives