The Paradox Of Voter Turnout In The 2010 Tanzania General Elections

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, 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.