Support to Tanzania’s Election Cycle 2013 – 2016 (STEC 13-16)

Project completed
Niambie project media campaign in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania © BBC Media Action

The proposed intervention supports the Tanzanian Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) and the media in Tanzania for the Constitutional referendum 2014 and local and general elections in 2014/2015. EMBs will be supported for institutional reforms and capacity strengthening to guarantee free and credible elections. The media will be strengthened in its role as watchdog and citizen informer to provide for impartial political reporting.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Tanzania
Governance
Rule of Law - Democracy - Human rights
Elections
Decentralisation
15.09.2013 - 31.10.2016
CHF 4'000'000
Background

The new Constitution for the United Republic of Tanzania, to be adopted in 2014, is likely to bring about some considerable changes to the country’s political structure including more political and civil rights, and transparency and independence in the way local and general elections are conducted. This process of political transition is accompanied bypolitical tensions and occasional break out of violence, which are likely to increase closer to the voting and electoral events to be held in 2014 (Constitutional referendum and local elections) and 2015 (general and presidential elections). A good part of the population seems to be tired of the non-performance of the long ruling majority party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), and verbal and physical violence among the parties and within the ruling party have increased. Unrest is also fuelled by increasing religious and social tensions. The (CCM-)Government generally takes a hard stance on rioters and those opposing their views, including opposition parties and the media, not showing willingness for dialogue. Tanzania’s position as hitherto existing haven of peace in a region marred by political instability seems to be at high risk.

Objectives

A majority of Tanzanian citizens, in particular young people and women, participates in an informed way in transparent and fair electoral and referendum processes.

Target groups

 

  • Election Management Bodies
  • Women voters and women candidates
  • Young people (15 – 30 y.)
  • National media houses
  •  

    Medium-term outcomes
    1. Legal and institutional reforms are introduced to promote democratic elections
    2. EMBs’ integrity and management systems are developed to deliver on their core mandate with greater independence, credibility, professionalism, efficiency and accountability
    3. Ordinary Tanzanians and specifically young women and men feel empowered to constructively engage in civic and political processes in the election cycle
    4. Media houses demonstrate improved editorial standards during the elections
    5. National Peace Infrastructure is supported to mitigate and resolve election related conflicts

     

    Results

    Results from previous phases:  

     

  • Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) perceived as neutral and transparent for the first time, which in turn contributed to peaceful general and presidential elections in Zanzibar
  • Voter education funded by the project contributed to the reduction of spoilt ballots Lessons learned:
  • Entire electoral cycle should be addressed to sustain Election Management Bodies’ (EMBs) capacities and advance reform of EMBs
  • Voter and civic education should start minimum 18 months before the electoral event
  •  


    Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
    Credit area Development cooperation
    Project partners Contract partner
    International or foreign NGO
    United Nations Organization (UNO)
    • Other international or foreign NGO North
    • United Nations Development Programme
    • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and BBC Media Action


    Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   4'000'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   3'813'539
    Project phases

    Phase 2 15.09.2013 - 31.10.2016   (Completed)