Civic Participation in Democratisation Process through Digital Platforms in Tanzania

Abstract

Tanzania, like most countries in the world, has not been sidestepped by waves of democratic
transitions that emerged by the end of 1980s and in 1990s. Different segments of her population
have and continue to engage in the democratisation process at various platforms particularly in
traditional political spaces. Active civic participation in democratic process that has been
facilitated by adoption of multiparty democracy, provided a room for ordinary citizens to be
engaged and empowered to have a voice on policy and/or decision –making process, which in
turn fosters democracy both at national and local levels. Nevertheless, little has been done in
studying the role of digital platforms in facilitating democratisation in Tanzania. This paper
therefore, pays attention firstly on how civic participation in democratic process can be enhanced
through digital platforms and secondly, how does the regulation of digital platforms can be
beneficial or barricade towards democratisation in Tanzania? The main thrust of this paper is
placed on the implications of digital technology in nurturing democracy so as to provide a wider
political space for those who are out of traditional platforms especially political parties.
Key words: democritisation, democratic process, citizens, participation, digital transformation