Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, has strongly condemned its disqualification from participating in the upcoming general elections, calling the move unconstitutional and politically motivated. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Saturday that CHADEMA had failed to sign the electoral code of conduct, effectively barring it from the presidential and parliamentary elections slated for October.
The development comes just days after the party’s prominent leader, Tundu Lissu, was arrested and charged with treason. Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt in 2017 where he was shot 16 times, is accused of inciting rebellion and urging citizens to disrupt the elections during a recent speech. The charges have sparked outrage among human rights advocates and opposition figures, who view them as part of a wider crackdown on dissent.
“A constitutional right cannot be taken away by a code of conduct created by the National Electoral Commission,” said Rugemeleza Nshala, CHADEMA’s Chief Attorney, in a defiant statement on Tuesday. He emphasized that the party’s exclusion undermines democracy and violates the Tanzanian constitution, which guarantees the right to political participation.
CHADEMA had previously threatened to boycott the elections unless comprehensive electoral reforms were enacted to ensure a level playing field. “Our position is still the same: no reforms, no elections,” Nshala reaffirmed, adding that the electoral process remains heavily tilted in favor of the ruling party.
Human rights organizations and international observers have raised concerns about the deteriorating political climate in Tanzania under President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Reports of unexplained abductions and killings of opposition figures have amplified fears of state repression. While the government denies these allegations, it has launched an investigation into the reported incidents.
The INEC has yet to respond to the growing criticism or address questions about CHADEMA’s disqualification. With the elections drawing near and tensions rising, the situation poses a significant test for Tanzania’s democratic institutions and the international community’s commitment to electoral integrity in the region.
