Tanzania’s Opposition Party Slams Ban on Contesting Elections; Terms It as Political Highhandedness

(3 Minutes Read)

CHADEMA boycotted an event for all parties to sign a code of ethics, violating a legal requirement for parties to participate in polls. CHADEMA’s legal secretary called the ban unconstitutional, saying that the law prescribes a penalty, not a ban. The party has rejected the call to sign the election, citing the absence of poll reforms.

Tanzania’s opposition has slammed a decision by the election commission to disqualify it from participating in October’s general election. The Commission accused CHADEMA, the country’s main opposition party, of refusing to sign a document pledging to respect the Commission’s decisions.

CHADEMA boycotted an event for all parties to sign a code of ethics, violating a legal requirement for parties to participate in polls. CHADEMA’s legal secretary called the ban unconstitutional, saying that the law prescribes a penalty, not a ban. The party has rejected the call to sign the election, citing the absence of poll reforms.

Tundu Lissu, the leader of CHADEMA, was charged with treason. He was arrested at a public rally as he called for electoral reforms ahead of elections. The opposition leader was forced into a police vehicle following a speech at a rally in the southern town of Mbinga, which is more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Dar es Salaam.

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A ban on CHADEMA – if upheld – would see President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her Chama Cha Mapinduzi party running virtually unopposed in October. Human rights activists have accused the government of heavy-handed tactics against the opposition. The government denies the claims.