Tanzania: The 1995 Elections
Extracted from: "Tanzania" IN Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa (2002), edited by Tom Lodge, Denis Kadima and David Pottie, EISA, 357-360.
The October 1995 elections in Tanzania marked the end of the one-party era in parliamentary and presidential politics. As in the 1994 municipal elections, these elections were governed by the 1985 Elections Act (as amended) and the 1992 Political Parties Act that provided for political parties' activities and regulations.
The overall single-member constituency electoral system remained unchanged but the nominated MPs and the national members of Parliament categories of seats were abolished. The provision for reserved seats for women was amended to replace the 15 reserved seats with the reservation of 15% of overall seats for women to be distributed on the basis 'of party support in the parliamentary elections.
As in the one-party era, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) managed the elections. Since the incumbent president appointed NEC members, the newly registered political parties mistrusted them. The NEC financed the elections through subventions from the government as well as donor funds in support of the multi-party election process. The total cost of the elections was Tanzanian shillings 38,5billion (The US$ was equivalent to around Tshs. 570).
The same 13 political parties registered for the 1994 municipal elections (see 1994 Local Government Multiparty Elections) contested the 1995 general elections. The 1995 elections had 182 constituencies on the mainland and 50 from Zanzibar for a total of 232 seats. All registered political parties fielded candidates in the parliamentary races, but only CCM had candidates in every constituency.
As noted above, under the one-party electoral system the National Executive Committee (following consultation with the Central Committee) announced the name of the party's presidential candidate before the party's national conference for membership approval. 10 1995 the presidential candidate preliminary elections attracted fourteen serious CCM members. The field included cabinet ministers, the chair of the Broadcasting Commission, the speaker of the National Assembly, a university vice-chancellor, and other high profile political figures. The winning candidate was Benjamin Mkapa, an MP and member of cabinet. Three other political parties nominated presidential candidates. These were John Momose Cheyo (UDP), lbrahirn Haruna Lipumba (CUF) and Augustine Lyatonga Mrema (NCCR-M).
Voter registration was scheduled for the month of August but was extended to mid-September because of low registration figures. There were an estimated 11 million eligible voters out of a population of 28 million. But only 2.9 million (26.7% ) registered in the first three weeks. Following the ten-day extension, a total of 8 929 969 people had registered, raising the total to 81% of the estimated eligible voting population.
The government, NGOs and religious organisations undertook voter education but the NEC's role was undermined by a lack of government funding. A host of domestic organisations also prepared to serve as election monitors. Initially, the NEC approved internal monitors after applications were received; but said it was not going to formally invite international observers although they were welcome. This approach changed after some diplomatic missions based in Dar es Salaam expressed their reservations and the NEC decided formally to invite international observers.