Tanzania parties registrar proposes changes to election expenses law to create fairness

CCM supporters celebrate President John Magufuli's win on October 29, 2015. Concerned about the way in which political parties are funded, the Registrar of Political Parties in Tanzania has proposed an amendment to the law to create a level playing field for political actors in the country. PHOTO | AFP 

By JOSEPH MWAMUNYANGE

In Summary

• According to the current law, only those parties that are registered, have participated in the immediate past election and that at least one of their candidate has been elected, can get subvention from the government.
• The Political Parties Act stipulates that sources of funds for political parties can be member fees, voluntary contributions, income from party investments, grants from the government and donations — but donations from foreign organisations and individuals must be disclosed.
• The Registrar said his office is working on proposals to bring on board parties that are not currently receiving government subvention.

Concerned about the way in which political parties are funded, the Registrar of Political Parties in Tanzania has proposed an amendment to the Political Parties Act and Election Expenses Act (2010) to create a level playing field for political actors in the country.

“With enhanced democracy in the country it is important to make changes to the Political Parties Act of 1992, which may have been overtaken by time,” the Registrar of Political Parties Judge Francis Mutungi told The EastAfrican.

According to the current law, only those parties that are registered, have participated in the immediate past election and that at least one of their candidate has been elected, can get subvention from the government.

The Political Parties Act stipulates that sources of funds for political parties can be member fees, voluntary contributions, income from party investments, grants from the government and donations — but donations from foreign organisations and individuals must be disclosed.

Subventions from the government are disbursed from an amount determined by the minister, taking into account the country’s economy.

According to the Political Parties Act, 50 per cent of the funds are disbursed on the basis of the number of constituencies won and the other 50 per cent is disbursed to parties that got at least five per cent of the total number of valid votes cast.

The Registrar said his office is working on proposals to bring on board parties that are not currently receiving government subvention.

Check squandering of funds

According to the Registrar’s proposals, funding to small political parties will be paid to them directly to cover overhead costs such as office rent and staff remuneration.

The amendment is meant to enhance transparency in running political parties and check squandering of the funds.

“The parties must embrace democracy in their entities before asking for democracy from the central government. We are working with the government, UNDP and UN Women to also review and build the Office of the Registrar’s capacity. This progression was delayed to give way to the constitution-making process but we are now working towards having these measures in place before the next election,” said Judge Mutungi.

On the issue of how expenses during elections were being monitored, Judge Mutungi referred to the Elections Expenses Act.

“The threshold has been put at a maximum of Tsh90 million ($41,000) for MPs, with the minimum set at Tsh30 million ($13,700). This goes further to curtail rich politicians who may want to pour their money into elections in a bid to gain influence,” he said.

During the first multiparty elections, conflicts arose after some senior officials from different political parties, deposited the funds into their personal accounts.

Under the current law, political parties that garner seats in parliament and in the councils qualify for government subvention.