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East Africa

Tanzania’s Election Commission Disqualifies Main Opposition Party in Contesting October Presidential Elections

News Desk

April 14, 2025

In a significant development, Tanzania's main opposition party, CHADEMA, has been disqualified from participating in the upcoming elections. Ramadhani Kailima, director of the Independent National Elections Commission, stated that the party failed to sign a necessary code of conduct document by the deadline, invalidating its participation in the presidential and parliamentary elections set for October.

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The disqualification extends to all by-elections until 2030. This follows recent treason charges against CHADEMA’s leader, accused of attempting to disrupt the vote.

In a significant development, Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, has been disqualified from participating in the upcoming elections. Ramadhani Kailima, director of the Independent National Elections Commission, stated that the party failed to sign a necessary code of conduct document by the deadline, invalidating its participation in the presidential and parliamentary elections set for October.

Any party that did not sign the code of conduct would not participate in the general election. The disqualification extends to all by-elections until 2030. This follows recent treason charges against CHADEMA’s leader, accused of attempting to disrupt the vote. Hassan’s party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has consistently claimed that the government upholds human rights and rejects accusations of human rights abuses.

CHADEMA, on the other hand, has not yet responded to the election commission’s decision. Earlier, the party announced it would boycott the election code of conduct signing ceremony, continuing its demand for reforms.

Meanwhile, prosecutors have charged CHADEMA leader Tundu Lissu with treason, accusing him of inciting rebellion to prevent the election from taking place. Lissu, facing the death penalty, was not allowed to plead to the charge.

CHADEMA had previously warned of a possible election boycott unless key reforms were implemented to address what it describes as a biased electoral system favoring the ruling party. He was arrested after gracing a public rally in which he called for electoral reforms ahead of planned general elections in October. Lissu, chairperson of the main opposition party CHADEMA, was arrested on Wednesday night over what regional police called incitement. Tanzania is set to elect the president and members of parliament in the October elections.