Multiparty system is the political arrangement where there are many parties in a country. The leaders are faced with opposition from the opposition political parties. This system is common in Western Europe and U.S.A.

In Africa, multi party started during the struggle for independence in the 1940s. They were organised along religious and tribal lines.
Examples of countries with multi party include the following: Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria. In Africa, by the year 2003, it was only Uganda, Rwanda, Angola and a few others, which did not have multi party.

The following are the main characteristics of a multi party political system:

Firstly, membership is open to only those who subscribe to the ideals and policies of the party and are in possession of membership cards or known to be followers of the party.

Secondly, leadership in the party is restricted to party members only.

Thirdly, a political party determines candidates for elective offices by using sieving process after which one leading becomes a party candidate for a constituency.

Fourthly, there is an official opposition in parliament which forms a recognised “shadow government”. Also, the number of seats one wins in parliament may determine the winning of presidential candidate.

Lastly, political offices are normally reserved for members of a winning party or party in case of a coalition government.
In the 1990s most countries, which were formerly single party, adopted multiparty system. Examples are Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, among others.

The change to multiparty has been caused by some of the following factors:

First of all, the collapse of the Soviet Union. Many one party states used to get assistance from the Socialist European states but when the cold war ended, the aid also ceased.

Secondly, Pressure from the donor communities like IMF and the World Bank, which threatened not to give aid to some African countries. Kenya in particular faced this threat.

Thirdly, the need to be more democratic and provide the transparent and accountable leadership. Some countries realised that need early enough