Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, risks exclusion from the October general elections. This follows their leader, Tundu Lissu’s, treason charge last week. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed the potential ban.
CHADEMA boycotted a mandatory ethics code signing event for all parties. Ramadhani Kailima, an INEC director, stated non-participation disqualifies parties from the 2025 elections and any subsequent by-elections. Lissu was charged after calling for electoral reforms at a public rally.
Police arrested Lissu in Mbinga, over 1,000 kilometers from Dar es Salaam. CHADEMA insists on “fundamental electoral reforms” for free and fair elections. Tanzania will elect its president and parliament in October.
Human rights activists accuse President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government of suppressing opposition.The government denies these accusations. CHADEMA has long criticized laws favoring the ruling CCM party, in power since 1961. Lissu survived a 2017 assassination attempt, sustaining 16 gunshot wounds.
