Tanzania’s leading opposition party, Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), has been disqualified from participating in the country’s 2025 general elections, sparking outrage and concern over the state of democracy in the East African nation.
The announcement was made on Saturday by Ramadhani Kailima, the Director of Elections for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Kailima stated that CHADEMA failed to sign the 2025 Electoral Code of Conduct, a mandatory requirement under Tanzania’s Elections Act. According to the law, any political party that does not sign the code is barred not only from participating in the general elections but also from contesting in any subsequent by-elections within a five-year period.
Out of Tanzania’s 19 registered political parties, 18 including the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) signed the code during a ceremony held in the capital city of Dodoma. CHADEMA’s absence was notable and immediately drew national attention.
CHADEMA Secretary General John Mnyika explained that the party’s decision was due to unresolved concerns with the electoral process. In a statement, Mnyika revealed that CHADEMA had submitted a letter to INEC on December 29, 2024, proposing key electoral reforms and calling for meaningful dialogue on the conduct of the 2025 elections.
“INEC’s failure to respond to our proposals reflects an absence of genuine commitment to inclusive and transparent dialogue,” Mnyika said. He emphasized that CHADEMA’s refusal to sign was not an act of defiance but a call for democratic accountability and fairness in the electoral process.
Political analysts have warned that CHADEMA’s exclusion from the 2025 elections could undermine public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions and potentially lead to increased political tensions. Observers have also questioned the impartiality of INEC and called for renewed efforts to ensure that the electoral process is inclusive and transparent.
The disqualification marks a significant moment in Tanzania’s political landscape, raising fundamental questions about electoral integrity, political pluralism, and the future of opposition politics in the country.
