Tanzania’s electoral body has barred the country’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, from contesting in the upcoming general elections scheduled for October, citing the party’s failure to sign a mandatory code of conduct.
The announcement was made on Saturday, April 12, by Ramadhani Kailima, Director of Elections at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), during a press briefing in Dar es Salaam. Kailima stated that CHADEMA’s refusal to sign the required electoral code effectively nullifies its participation in both the presidential and parliamentary races.
“Any party that did not sign the code of conduct will not participate in the general election,” Kailima said. He further noted that the exclusion extends to all by-elections until 2030.
The decision comes just days after CHADEMA’s leader and former presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu, was charged with treason. Prosecutors allege that Lissu incited the public to rebel and obstruct the election process. The charge, which carries the death penalty, did not allow Lissu to enter a plea.
The electoral ban is likely to escalate tensions around President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, with rights groups and opposition figures accusing her government of tightening its grip on dissent. Over the past year, critics have pointed to a pattern of harassment, enforced disappearances, and killings of opposition supporters. Authorities have consistently denied these claims, insisting investigations into reported abductions are ongoing and that the government upholds human rights.
CHADEMA, which had earlier declared its refusal to attend Saturday’s signing ceremony, has long argued that the country’s electoral system is skewed in favor of the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. The opposition party has repeatedly demanded reforms before participating in any future elections.
So far, CHADEMA has not issued an official response to its disqualification.
