Tanzania, Jan. 14 -- The country is debating political and electoral reforms, with the focus largely on what critics have argued is the uneven playing field between the long-ruling CCM and opposition parties. Peculiarly, one key aspect of politics in general and elections in particular does not feature in the debates and conversations: money.

Precisely, the relationship between politics, elections, and money.

In one of the sessions debating the proposed reforms, United Democratic Party (UDP) chairperson John Cheyo, equated contemporary elections with auctions, saying that the party or candidate with the most money is more likely to win the election than a party or candidate with little or no money.

To be sure, money and elections have ...