Background:

Improving the performance of the electoral system is an explicit objective of the Tanzanian’s National Framework for Good Governance, which among other things, aims at strengthening the capacity of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and to strengthen civil society advocacy for democratic pluralism, competitive politics, civic education and tolerance. Informed by the lessons from the 2000 elections UNDP introduced a basked-support mechanism for Tanzania’s 3rd multiparty democratic elections held on 14th December 2005. The goal of the election support was to 1) ensure the effective preparation for and conduct of free and fair elections; 2) improve citizen’s understanding of their rights and duties and capability to engage in the political process; and  3)  improve impartial media coverage and reporting on electoral issues. The modality for support was through 2 basket funds: for the establishment of the Permanent National Voters’ Register (PNVR) which resulted from the Tanzania Constitutional Amendment in 2000 which mandated NEC to establish and maintain a Permanent Voter’s Register (PNVR), and the other for the support to the general elections. Tanzania Constitution was amended in 2000 to mandate the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to establish and maintain a Permanent National Voters’ Register (PNVR). The Basket mechanism drew on lessons from the 2000 elections  that established donor’s basket pool resources to achieve a common developmental purpose and reduce transaction costs; UNDP provided technical and management support to the programme.

Results:

The multi-donor programme (whose overarching goal was to support an election process that is nationally owned and internationally recognized, and that enhances citizen’s responsibility contributed to achieving three major outcomes: 1) increased capacity of the NEC to provide for a cost-efficient, free and fair election preparation and process. Technical, financial and logistical support that was extended to NEC boosted the institutional competencies therein to oversee the rollout of free and fair elections in an impartial, transparent and accountable manner. 2) increased media reporting on electoral issues in a responsible an impartial manner, and 3) increased capacity of civil society organizations to provide effective and quality civic and voter education. A total of 34 NGOs (including those of people with disability) on the mainland and 13 in Zanzibar implemented a civic education programme, which is now being proposed for adoption by other countries (Uganda and Sierra Leone). The PNVR was established and completed on time and acknowledged by all stakeholders as accurate and acceptable and without which the constitutional equipment would not have been achieved.

Lessons Learnt:

The Basket provided a balance between speed of delivery and security for donors funds since it had in-built sound fund management, effective technical backstopping for the electoral process and for the stakeholders in the Basket, stakeholder engagement; and capacity development. UNDP left the thematic lead to a donor, (UK) and this ensured that conflict of interests was avoided during project implementation. The support process built on lessons learnt from previous election experiences and UNDP offered timely and frequent reporting, which again enhanced trust in the donor community. UNDP track record in serving the donor community (secretariat of the DAC), helped to build the trust of the Donor community. Programme oversight and policy and strategic guidance was vested in a tripartite Steering Committee comprising the Government, the development partners and UNDP, thus giving equal opportunity to all stakeholders to participate and be heard. It was very clear amongst all partners that support for all dimensions of the elections that was done through the joint and coordinated approach was key in minimizing transaction costs in the context of donor harmonization as well as enhancing overall programme effectiveness and development impact.

Challenge and Way forward:

Election support in most cases is regarded as an event-driven, last minute process instead of a long-term strategy. Short timetables create great pressure to donors in mobilizing funds. The vent-driven approach is not compatible with the development of the human and organizational capacity to run effective elections that are sustainable within the national budget in the longer term. The experiences and achievements of the 2005 elections support have provided the foundation and the pillars for the progressive attainment of democratic and participatory governance.