Concerns have been expressed in the media on unfair playground of the electoral process, particularly for small resource-starved political parties which are competing with some giants some who continue to hold their ministerial positions (Rai 15th October 2015).
A candidate who doubles as a minister still enjoys his/her salary, and as an ex MP, at the end of their terms the package they get allows them to have sufficient resources to manage the costs of campaign. But also the ministerial positions give them the hidden power of using previous delivered government services as a symbol of their individual successes. While the play field among competing political parties is uneven, new small parties are disadvantaged, and it is the worst for women candidates.
A woman candidate for councillor seat for Chiwake ward in Zanzibar Zawadi Mrisho Iddi is quoted to have said that she was unable to reach out her targeted voters due to resource constraints. While Maryam Juma candidate through CCM ticket claimed that her constituency is too big and with limited resources she has not been able to reach her targeted voters.
In addition to resource constraints, women candidates from Shinyanga, Geita, and Simayu complain of sexual abuse and harassment from the male competitors during campaign rallies. Both ACT Wazalendo and CCM candidates accused their male competitors for using abusive language, harassing them during campaigns. The use of vulgar language, abusive and sexually harassing messages are meant to pull down women competitors for daring to challenge the traditionally male stereotypical roles of leading.
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