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2007 Assessment

Tanzania: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Tanzania: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Election Integrity
Indicators		Score
17	In law, is there an election monitoring agency or set of election monitoring agencies/entities?	0
18	Is the election monitoring agency effective?	75
19	Are elections systems transparent and effective?	75

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

In law, is there an election monitoring agency or set of election monitoring agencies/entities?

17: In law, is there an election monitoring agency or set of election monitoring agencies/entities?

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: An Act of Parliament established a National Electoral Commission that is responsible for the execution of elections, but no separate and legally established entity exists to monitor and ensure the integrity of elections

Is the election monitoring agency effective?

18a: In law, the agency or set of agencies/entities is protected from political interference.

Score:

YES

Comments: The National Electoral Commission is not, strictly speaking, performing a function as an independent monitor of elections. It is responsible for conducting the elections and for providing accreditation to independent monitors.

References: Law establishing the National Electoral Commission

Peer Review Comments: With respect to organizing elections, one would say the National Electoral Commission (NEC) has some legal powers. But in the absence of an independent agency, NEC is not free to monitor. It is expected to give an impartial decision during electioneering. Its national chairman and other commissioners are appointees of the government.

18b: In practice, agency (or set of agencies/entities) appointments are made that support the independence of the agency.

Score:

100

Comments: The agency only provides accreditation to election monitors, so it is not, strictly speaking, an election-monitoring agency.

References: Rwekaza Mukandala October 3, 2000 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Augustino Ramadhani Then Vice Chairman National Electoral Commission April 14, 2000 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Peer Review Comments: The fact that the government appoints the head of the Electoral Commission, as well as other commissioners increases the likelihood of picking those with hawkish leanings.

18c: In practice, the agency or set of agencies/entities has a professional, full-time staff.

Score:

100

Comments: The agency only provides accreditation to election monitors, so it is not, strictly speaking, an election-monitoring agency.

References: Rwekaza Mukandala October 3, 2000 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Augustino Ramadhani Then Vice Chairman National Electoral Commission April 14, 2000 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

18d: In practice, the agency or set of agencies/entities makes timely, publicly available reports following an election cycle.

Score:

100

Comments: The agency only provides accreditation to election monitors, so it is not, strictly speaking, an election-monitoring agency.

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

Prof. Chaligha Commissioner National Electoral Commission July 2, 2006 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

18e: In practice, when necessary, the agency or set of agencies/entities imposes penalties on offenders.

Score:

100

Comments: The agency only provides accreditation to election monitors, so it is not, strictly speaking, an election-monitoring agency

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

Are elections systems transparent and effective?

19a: In practice, there is a clear and transparent system of voter registration.

Score:

100

Comments:

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

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

19b: In law, election results can be contested through the judicial system.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Sections 142-144 of the National Election Act

19c: In practice, election results can be effectively appealed through the judicial system.

Score:

100

Comments: Presidential election results cannot be contested after they have been announced by the National Electoral Commission, but all other results from Parliament down to municipal, district and village elections can be contested.

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

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

19d: In practice, the military and security forces remain neutral during elections.

Score:

100

Comments: The police force is habitually used for intimidation and control in Zanzibar during campaigns and elections. The police have also been used to control campaigns by the opposition on the mainland.

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

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

Peer Review Comments: I do not think the military is neutral during elections because experience shows that some voters, especially those in Zanzibar, were frequently harassed on the pretext that they were planning to disrupt the polls.

19e: In law, domestic and international election observers are allowed to monitor elections.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: National Election Act

Peer Review Comments: Election monitors are welcome, but they must first be cleared by the electoral body, which has the right to decline their acceptance.

19f: In practice, election observers are able to effectively monitor elections.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: Election observers have unfettered access to polling sites, counting stations, and voters themselves. The government does not interfere with the observers\' activities. <p>50 Score Criteria: Election observers generally have access to polling sites, counting stations, and voters but encounter restrictions in certain areas. The government may impose burdensome regulatory or bureaucratic requirements on observers to discourage their involvement. <p>0 Score Criteria: Election observers\' movements are significantly limited by the government and many polling and counting sites are restricted or barred from observers. The government imposes so many bureaucratic or regulatory burdens on the observers that their mission is rendered ineffective.$

Comments: Problems have been experienced in getting timely accreditation for international and national monitors in Zanzibar. There has also been reported pressure put on national monitors to tone down criticism after elections.

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

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

Rwekaza Mukandala Then Director National Election Monitoring Committee October 3, 2000 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania