Department of History, Political Science and Development Studies

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Browsing Department of History, Political Science and Development Studies by Author "Babeiya, Edwin E."

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    Multiparty Elections and Party Support in Tanzania
    (Sage, 2011-11-30) Babeiya, Edwin E.
    Multiparty elections in Tanzania have been characterized by the dominance of the ruling party and the erratic rise and fall of opposition parties. This trend has been largely influenced by, among others, such factors as institutionalization, age, personality sex, history and low level of civic competence. However, the results of the 2010 general elections suggest a new development that challenges the eminence of the aforementioned factors, which have for almost two decades favoured the ruling party. This new development is reflected in the 2010 elections that witnessed some of the areas that were an enclave of the incumbent party offering a relatively strong support to opposition parties, particularly Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA). The 2010 general elections’ results prompt a need for an enquiry to establish whether or not this is the beginning of a new chapter in which both the ruling party and opposition parties stand an equal chance of winning the elections.
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    The role of ICTs in enhancing citizens’ involvement in decision-making in local governments in Tanzania
    (Uganda Technology and Management University, 2017-12-30) Babeiya, Edwin E.; Masabo, Conrad John
    This paper reflects on citizens’ participation in local governments in Tanzania. Using documentary review, it ponders on the efforts being taken to ensure that the citizens effectively participate in decision-making in local governments. Attention is specifically directed at exploring the position of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in fostering participatory decision-making by drawing experience from various studies on citizens’ participation in local government authorities. In examining the efficacy of the studies on participation that have been undertaken since Tanzania embarked on local government reforms, it observes that both the policy makers and researchers have accorded limited attention to the role of ICTs in facilitating inclusive decision-making at the grassroots. The paper shows that these actors have continued to focus on physical interactions rather than looking at other platforms for interactions such as e-participation and the extent to which ICTs are utilized or can be used to facilitate decision-making at lower levels. Against this backdrop, the paper underscores the need for local government stakeholders to accord more attention to the potential of ICTs in ensuring effective citizens’ participation.