Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, has condemned its disqualification from the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections as unconstitutional. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ruled that CHADEMA was ineligible because it failed to sign a required election code of conduct. This decision came shortly after CHADEMA leader Tundu Lissu was charged with treason for allegedly inciting rebellion through a public speech. Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt in 2017, now faces a capital offense charge. CHADEMA’s Chief Attorney, Rugemeleza Nshala, argued that a code of conduct cannot override constitutional rights. The party has threatened to boycott the elections unless electoral reforms are implemented, claiming the system favors the ruling party. Human rights campaigners and opposition figures have also criticized President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration for an alleged crackdown on dissent, including reports of unexplained abductions and killings, which the government denies while promising investigations.
The election ban and Lissu’s treason charge have intensified tensions between the opposition and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. CHADEMA’s exclusion from the electoral process raises concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of Tanzania’s political landscape ahead of the October 2025 general elections. The party’s call for electoral reforms underscores the need for a transparent and equitable electoral system that upholds democratic principles and ensures that all political parties can participate without undue restrictions.
