Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to assess the Election Expenses Act 2010 on how it
curbs election expenses malpractices. In order to assess this researcher categorized
the research paper into five chapters.
This research paper was conducted in Dar es Salaam because relevant offices
regarding Election Expenses Act, 2010 are situated in Dar es Salaam. The objectives
of this research were to examine the laws on electoral expenses and the extent to
which they have succeeded to solve the election financing problem during elections,
to determine the extent to which the electoral expenses laws and practices can curb
election expenses malpractices in Tanzania and to determine which changes should
be made to election expenses act 2010 to make the law more effective.
The research used both primary and secondary methods of data collection from
twenty two respondents. The use of these two methods was for the purposes of more
information.
The result of the study shows that the Election Expenses Act 2010 is ineffective to
curb election expenses malpractices. The reasons for the above conclusion is the lack
of political willingness of the government, non-compliance of the law by the
candidates and political parties, financial constrains to the ORPP so as to implement
the law, overlapping of functions between NEC and ORPP, lack of clarity of the law,
lack of manpower and tools to implement the law and lack of civic education. These
circumstances have made the election expenses act 2010 not to function according to
the objective and aim behind its establishment.
The study recommends for amendment of the law to provide clear definitions,
increase the penalties, the disclosure of party finances should be mandatory and
published so as the public could see, more civic education should be provided, the
ORPP should be establish sub-offices all over the country due to the magnitude of
their work.
