More questions than answers on Costech/Twaweza poll saga

Dar es Salaam. There were more questions than answers yesterday as controversy raged around the recent Twaweza opinion poll which showed a sharp decline in President John Magufuli’s popularity.

Confusion was apparent as the The Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (Costech) declined to explain under what section of its law it sought to punish Twaweza for conducting and releasing results of the opinion poll.

Costech acting director general Amos Nungu admitted that they had indeed sent a letter to Twaweza asking the organization to explain why legal measures should not be taken against them for violating procedures guiding the conducting of research in the country.

But he told a press conference that Costech does not have the mandate to oversee the conducting of opinion polling, and that one doesn’t have to seek a permit from them for such an exercise.

His stance, however, is in contradiction of the letter sent to Twaweza and which appeared to suggest that the commission had found Twaweza at fault. Asked by journalists to clarify this mix-up, Dr Nungu declined.

The official instead insisted that yesterday’s press briefing was meant to express the commission’s disappointment that their letter had been leaked and circulated on social media. “We are here to say that we are saddened to find our official communication on social media before it is even responded to,” said Dr Nungu without pointing a finger at anyone.

Twaweza Executive Director Aidan Eyakuze quickly responded, saying that his organization was not behind the leaking of the said official letter. “All letters that are delivered to Twaweza are stamped in the presence of the individual who has delivered them, to acknowledge receipt,” said Mr Eyakuze in a note published on their website. He confirmed Twaweza received the Costech letter whose reply was being prepared.

The Twaweza saga has fueled confusion among the public with a section questioning the legality of Costech’s intrusion. Some have wondered why the commission has only intervened in the latest opinion poll and not similar ones conducted before by the same organization.

Dr Nungu did not say if Twaweza sought permits for past opinion polls even as he accused the agency of breaching procedures in the recent poll.

He however in his letter pointed to an application by Twaweza for permits for four scientific research projects, three of which are ongoing and one was completed. These projects fall in the mandate of Costech to oversee studies which “contribute to the body of knowledge.”

Section 5 (1) of the Act of Parliament No. 7 of 1986 that established Costech says the commission is the principal advisory organ of the government on all matters relating to scientific research and technology development in the country.

Costech research guidelines define research as “any type of systematic investigation, testing or evaluation designed to develop or contribute to a body of knowledge.” Studies here are those that usually lead to new designs, products, or processes for the overall improvement of human conditions.

Twaweza opinion polls are public perceptions on knowledge, attitude and experience. Sources told The Citizen that due to their statistical nature, Twaweza has been liaising with the National Bureau of Statistics, which, according to the law, is responsible for regulating and overseeing all statistical information collection and dissemination.

Costech, it would appear, was banking their action against Twaweza on a blanket rule giving them the power to document and register all research activities in the country and ensure they met and observed “national rules and regulations.”

It is not clear if the latest Twaweza study called Speaking Truth to Power? Citizen’s Views on Politics in Tanzania violated any of the set rules or standards.

The results of the opinion poll show that President Magufuli’s approval rating has dropped from 96 per cent in his first year in office in 2016 down to 55 per cent this year – a fall of 41 percentage points.