Elections in unfair grounds
Our dream to develop like the European countries still lingers. Under the current regime ‘‘tutakuwa kama ulaya’’ (we will develop like Europe) is the message that has been literally, so invariably, forced into our ears. However, It remains a mere obsession because we are fond of these countries development outcome and don’t give a damn about how they got to where they are.
More specifically, we are not craving for under gird behind the success we see in these countries today. For example, do we know that the foundational stones for their development were built in governance system that delivers?. One of the cardinal principle that has been of help to these countries over the years is separation of the two government domains of politics and bureaucracy especially in times such as these when we are heading for general election. The dichotomy is key in building democratic societies.
In the election context like we are currently in, Tanzania needs to borrow a leaf from countries such as Canada, The UK, and New Zealand that have a practice of the bureaucracy distancing from matters of politics. In Canada for example they have what is called a caretaker convention where the government political activities are restrained in times like this. This is to avoid any acts that might infringe fair ground to parties taking part in election. The Arab wisdom has a name for this ‘purdah.’
Conversely, in this country the ruling party, even before the campaigns its leaders and members have started moving around throwing new promises, pretend to addressing citizens’ problems through handing over different projects. In some instances into the bandwagon are technocrats who were supposed to be neutral but busy singing a praise chorus.
Understandably, it might be a challenge setting up such a line of discipline and conducts as it seems every Tom, Dick and Harry from all cross and sectors of our lives wanted to become a Member of Parliament through the ruling party. It is what we learnt from the recent CCM primaries. With the ongoing and planned inauguration of projects such as roads, bridges, health facilities, fly-overs which are timed just shortly before the elections it needs a rethinking.
Prior to the primaries there was shocking move which deserved to be in Guinness world records! The move came from none other than the former Dar RC who at one point went around the city ‘handing over’ public projects to his party!. To date I am yet to understand what was that supposed to entail. It was ridiculous acts to say the least. He was a noisy clown in circus!
None asked about such events and there weren’t discussions whatsoever. As it has been the case for the past four years and a half, that also passed as if happened in the dead of the night!
The “big man” to date he is going around in his different visits many times he can’t help himself stop without giving political promises. Or worse, in some regions the citizens would approach his motorcade presenting their challenges, in most cases if that part of the country has an opposition MP they would be told that is the reason for challenges. A common practice is to inaugurate whatever government projects when the election and campaigns draw near closer
The concept of fair election to us will be meaningless with what we are seeing. The official government business should not be partisan to avoid the possibility of using public fund for political interests. We understand the presence of government circulars and laws and regulations to guide that but it seems it Tanzania the guidelines belong to the shelves. Some people have spoken about unequal playing field in Tanzania political landscape but we think the playing field hasn’t been built yet. We need change that tuwe kama Ulaya!
