The Role of Foreign Aid in the Dissemination of Civic and Voter Education during 1995 – 2020 General Elections in Tanzania

Abstract

This article examines the extent to which foreign aid played a role in shaping the electoral practices related to the dissemination of civic and voter education in the past six multiparty general elections conducted in Tanzania from 1995 to 2020. The study employed a qualitative research approach and used primary data through key informant interviews. Secondary data were obtained from a documentary review. The findings reveal that in 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 foreign donors had a significant influence on determining the content of civic and voter education materials used to conduct the exercise. In the 2015 elections, donors' funds were reduced significantly and in the 2020 election, the budget was fully government-funded. The study recommends that the Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) should establish elections consolidated funds that will be funded by the government yearly to ensure the availability of sufficient funds to conduct the exercise and ultimately limit the intervention of foreign donors in the dissemination of civic and voter education.