Tanzania's 1995 Multi-Party Elections

Abstract

In 1995 Tanzania held its first multi-party elections since the 1965 constitution formally established a one-party system. This article seeks to assess the emerging party system in Tanzania and examines the question of whether the competition that emerged represents an expansion of political choice for citizens and a broader representation of societal forces. The emerging party system is assessed in view of several salient features of the Tanzanian political system. The legal and institutional framework strongly favours the govering party. The conclusion argues that in view of the nature and capacities of the new political parties and the legal/institutional framework, the expansion of both choice and representation is very limited. The most we can expect from the Tanzanian transition is a dominant-party system with the governing party flanked by marginal opposition parties