Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

Although democracy is more than having regular free and fair elections, it is still a fact that contemporary representative multiparty democracy is void without them. This is why in every country, elections constitutes the hallmark of democratic occurrences which can either make or break the democratisation processes depending on how they are managed and administered. It is, therefore, not surprising that in many third wave democracies, electoral reforms- with the hope of making elections open, free, fair and acceptable to all the key stakeholders- remain on top of the public agenda.

It is against this background that the Tanzanian NIMD partner, Tanzania Centre for Democracy (TCD) undertook a four day study visit to South Africa (27-31 July 2008) to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the set-up and functioning of the South African Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) so as to enrich their (Tanzanian) reform debate with regard to management and administration of democratic elections in that country. The theme of the study visit was “Elections’ Management Bodies and the Deepening of Democracy”.

During the visit, the TCD ten member delegation, comprising mainly of representatives of political parties but also, civil society organisations and the Tanzanian National Elections Commission (NEC) had the opportunity of interacting with diverse stakeholders in the South African electoral process, key among them being political parties, Non-Governmental Organisations and the Independent Electoral Commission.
 
 
Dealing with perceptions
 
The key message delivered by the Deputy Chair of the South African IEC, Ms Thoko Mpumlwana, that in managing elections if you don’t deal with perceptions, they (perceptions) may “gain currency of the truth” and “compromise the credibility of the process” strengthened the resolve for the Tanzanians to have their Elections Management body not only proclaimed independent, but to be seen to act independently. Another key lesson was the decentralised set up of the IEC which has offices both at provincial and local level to compliment the national office in Pretoria.
 
 
Settling disputes
 
Elections are potentially a conflict laden democratic event. For political actors, having electoral related disputes resolved efficiently and within the shortest period of time is what they desire if they are to accept the results as free and fair.

The role of purposely set up electoral courts in South Africa was, unsurprisingly, another area of great interest for the Tanzanian political parties who recalled own experiences in how some electoral disputes in some countries drag on until the next election is due thereby rendering the whole legal process useless.

Similarly, the role of the legally instituted Multi-party Liaison Committees (PLCs) was a point of reflection for the Tanzanian delegation. PLCs serve as vehicles for consultation and cooperation between the South African IEC and the registered parties on all electoral matters aimed at the delivery of free and fair elections. The Tanzanians saw such bodies also enhancing more consensus oriented politics.

This study tour was organised with the support of NIMD through its Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Programme (ESARP), a programme that brings together governing and opposition political parties from the six countries in the region which have an NIMD programme (Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia).

The aim of the NIMD regional programme is to support inter-party cooperation, and to strengthen institutional development of the parties. By sharing best practices and lessons learned, or by addressing difficulties together, the political parties in East and Southern Africa learn from each other, and learn together. In South Africa, the visit was coordinated by the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS), an NIMD partner that also implements the NIMD supported South African Programme.