General elections in Tanzania amid political polarization and the absence of the opposition news

Today, Wednesday, October 29, voters in Tanzania go to the polls in general elections that include the presidency, parliament, and local councils.

This entitlement is widely viewed as a crucial test of the legitimacy of current President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, which has dominated the political scene since the country’s independence in 1961.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed that the general elections are fully consistent with the Constitution and the laws of the country.

In a statement yesterday, Tuesday, Attorney General Hamza Johari said that the 5-year leadership period had ended in accordance with the constitution, making today’s elections legal and legitimate.

Johari added, “The 5-year period as stipulated in the constitution has ended, and therefore the elections scheduled today are constitutional.”

He added that all candidates for the presidency, parliament and local council seats across the country have been approved in accordance with the law, making these elections legitimate.

President Samia (the first woman to hold this position in the history of Tanzania) is running in the elections to seek a new term after she assumed power in March 2021 following the death of former President John Magufuli.

During her term, she adopted a conciliatory discourse with the opposition, and carried out partial reforms in the laws of media and civil activities, but observers believe that these steps did not translate into real political openness.

The elections come in the absence of the most prominent opposition parties, led by the Chadema Party, after its candidates were excluded from the race and its leader, Tundu Lissu, was arrested on charges related to “incitement to sedition,” which sparked criticism from international human rights organizations that considered that the political climate does not guarantee free and fair elections.

According to the Independent National Elections Commission, more than 37 million registered voters will vote in more than 20,000 polling stations inside and outside the country, amid strict security measures.

More than 100 local and international organizations have been accredited to monitor the electoral process, although the movement of some foreign observers has been restricted.

Media reports indicate that the ruling party has strong chances of winning, in light of weak competition and the absence of effective political alternatives, which raises questions about the future of political pluralism in the country.

These elections are the first to be held under the legal amendments approved in 2024, which included the Election Law and the Independent Authority Law, in an attempt to improve transparency and enhance voter confidence.