As Tanzania prepares for next years general elections, a recent poll by the Research and Education for Democracy shows increased support for the opposition both in Tanzania mainland and the Isles.
Support for opposition parties increased to 27 per cent in 2008 from 8 per cent in 2006, while that for the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi has declined by half to 32.6 per cent last year, from 60 per cent in 2006.
The survey, carried out last November in all the countrys 26 regions, was the third since President Jakaya Kikwete took over in 2005.
The poll shows dissatisfaction with CCM increased to 24.6 per cent in 2008 from 12 per cent in 2006. This contrasted with the decline in the peoples negative attitude towardS the opposition, which fell to 26.5 per cent from 51 per cent over the same period.
However, overall, the ruling party has retained its appeal with 72.8 per cent of those polled while the opposition had 62.1 per cent. According to principal researcher Dr Bernadeta Killian, those polled complained of CCMs failure to stick to its promises (22.4 per cent), non-performing leaders (18.7 per cent) and corruption and bribery (13.9 per cent).
About 18.7 per cent faulted the opposition for its leadership wrangles, lack of attractive policies (10.8 per cent), while 7.3 per cent felt the opposition lacked what it takes to lead the country.
The poll shows that President Kikwete remains popular, but confidence in his leadership dropped to 78.5 per cent in the latest poll, from 79.4 per cent in 2007 and 90.1 per cent in 2006. Trust in the president also fell, with 19.3 per cent those polled in 2008 saying they did not trust, up from 7.8 per cent in 2006.
However, President Kikwete surprisingly scored the highest trust in Mkoani, Pemba, which is considered an opposition stronghold.
Of the people interviewed in this area, 82 per cent approved of his leadership. As expected, he fared badly in Karatu constituency, the stronghold of Chadema leader Willibrod Slaa, where 66 per cent of those polled said they were dissatisfied with his performance. Only 63.8 per cent of those polled said they had trust in the current Cabinet.
The poll cites the governments failure to implement and meet its promises, rampant high-level corruption and controversial investment contracts as the major causes of peoples disappointment.
The latest survey was carried out last November, at a the time when the country was gripped by several scandals and trials of public figures and former civil servants for corruption.
The Research and Education for Democracy is the political science and public administration arm of the University of Dar es Salaam, and has since the introduction of multiparty politics in 1992, been engaged in the democratisation of the country through research, documentation and civic education.
Dr Killian said the poll was a wake- up call for CCM and the government, and that the results were a testimony that Tanzanians had lost confidence in the ruling party and the government due to poor service delivery and non-fulfilment of campaign promises.
Dr Killian said for the opposition, the growing support is a positive indicator of the growth in democracy, but was quick to point out that opposition parties still had their work cut out for them to win more supporters.
The poll results further show a decline in the performance rating of President Kikwete. However, the presidents personal rating was still positive and eclipsed that of his government and the ruling party.
All the 1,300 people polled gave parliament a high rating in the institutional category, but interestingly gave a low opinion of their individual members of parliament.
The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau, Cabinet ministers and the law courts were the worst ranked in performance, while Local Government was ranked second in performance after parliament.
Posted Monday, May 11 2009 at 20:55
By WILFRED EDWIN
Support for opposition parties increased to 27 per cent in 2008 from 8 per cent in 2006, while that for the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi has declined by half to 32.6 per cent last year, from 60 per cent in 2006.
The survey, carried out last November in all the countrys 26 regions, was the third since President Jakaya Kikwete took over in 2005.
The poll shows dissatisfaction with CCM increased to 24.6 per cent in 2008 from 12 per cent in 2006. This contrasted with the decline in the peoples negative attitude towardS the opposition, which fell to 26.5 per cent from 51 per cent over the same period.
However, overall, the ruling party has retained its appeal with 72.8 per cent of those polled while the opposition had 62.1 per cent. According to principal researcher Dr Bernadeta Killian, those polled complained of CCMs failure to stick to its promises (22.4 per cent), non-performing leaders (18.7 per cent) and corruption and bribery (13.9 per cent).
About 18.7 per cent faulted the opposition for its leadership wrangles, lack of attractive policies (10.8 per cent), while 7.3 per cent felt the opposition lacked what it takes to lead the country.
The poll shows that President Kikwete remains popular, but confidence in his leadership dropped to 78.5 per cent in the latest poll, from 79.4 per cent in 2007 and 90.1 per cent in 2006. Trust in the president also fell, with 19.3 per cent those polled in 2008 saying they did not trust, up from 7.8 per cent in 2006.
However, President Kikwete surprisingly scored the highest trust in Mkoani, Pemba, which is considered an opposition stronghold.
Of the people interviewed in this area, 82 per cent approved of his leadership. As expected, he fared badly in Karatu constituency, the stronghold of Chadema leader Willibrod Slaa, where 66 per cent of those polled said they were dissatisfied with his performance. Only 63.8 per cent of those polled said they had trust in the current Cabinet.
The poll cites the governments failure to implement and meet its promises, rampant high-level corruption and controversial investment contracts as the major causes of peoples disappointment.
The latest survey was carried out last November, at a the time when the country was gripped by several scandals and trials of public figures and former civil servants for corruption.
The Research and Education for Democracy is the political science and public administration arm of the University of Dar es Salaam, and has since the introduction of multiparty politics in 1992, been engaged in the democratisation of the country through research, documentation and civic education.
Dr Killian said the poll was a wake- up call for CCM and the government, and that the results were a testimony that Tanzanians had lost confidence in the ruling party and the government due to poor service delivery and non-fulfilment of campaign promises.
Dr Killian said for the opposition, the growing support is a positive indicator of the growth in democracy, but was quick to point out that opposition parties still had their work cut out for them to win more supporters.
The poll results further show a decline in the performance rating of President Kikwete. However, the presidents personal rating was still positive and eclipsed that of his government and the ruling party.
All the 1,300 people polled gave parliament a high rating in the institutional category, but interestingly gave a low opinion of their individual members of parliament.
The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau, Cabinet ministers and the law courts were the worst ranked in performance, while Local Government was ranked second in performance after parliament.
Posted Monday, May 11 2009 at 20:55
By WILFRED EDWIN
