The Paradox of Voter Turnout in the 2010 Tanzania General Elections: The Case of Three Constituencies
Loading...
Date
2012-11-09
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study examined the causes of low voter turnout in the Tanzania 2010 general
elections. The focus was on the general causes of low voter turnout and the influence
of voter education and voter mobilization by political parties on voter turnout. The
study adopted a case study strategy where Karatu, Ubungo, and Igalula
constituencies were purposely sampled. Data was generated by conducting structured
interviews with 150 respondents from voters who had registered for the 2010 general
elections and in-depth interviews with 32 stakeholders, including candidates,
political party leaders, election officials and leaders of CSOs.
The findings revealed that low voter turnout was caused by a combination of factors.
These factors include voters’ concerns about economic hardship, low political
efficacy among voters, the belief that individual vote can not make significant
change, loss of confidence in the democratic value of elections, and the lack of
significant competition within the elections. The findings also demonstrate that voter
education was not effective enough in terms of influencing higher voter turnout due
to the weakness in planning and implementation. The government left financing
attention in hands of Development Partners. Political parties, instead of mobilizing
voters to vote, concentrated on advertizing their policies and candidates as well as
attacking their opponents. The role of achieving higher turnout to support them on
Election Day was in most cases skipped.
The study recommends that there should be a permanent government fund for voter
education, a well planned and sustainable voter education programme, a review of
election laws, the establishment of a permanent fund for mobilizing finance for Voter
Education. In addition, psephologists should conduct intensive studies on the effect
of civic competency and the behavior of institutions such as political parties on voter
turnout in Tanzania.
Description
Keywords
Voter behaviour, Multiparty elections; Voter Turnout; Voter Education; Democratic Consolidation; Tanzania