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DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – The principal opposition party in Tanzania, CHADEMA, is at risk of being barred from participating in the upcoming general elections scheduled for October. This situation arises after their leader was formally accused of treason the previous week.
CHADEMA Boycotts Ethics Code Event, Faces Potential Election Ban
According to Ramadhani Kailima, a director at the Independent National Electoral Commission, CHADEMA’s absence from a Saturday event for political parties to endorse a code of conduct constitutes a breach of legal prerequisites for election participation. This boycott, Kailima informed reporters, jeopardizes their eligibility for the polls.
Kailima stated, “Any party failing to attend today’s proceedings will forfeit future opportunities. Consequently, any party that has not submitted the necessary declaration will be ineligible to contest in the 2025 elections, as well as any subsequent by-elections within the next five years.”
Treason Charges Against Opposition Leader Tundu Lissu
Tundu Lissu, CHADEMA’s leader, was formally charged with treason on Thursday. This followed his apprehension at a public gathering where he advocated for electoral reforms in anticipation of the upcoming elections. Lissu was compelled to enter a police vehicle on Wednesday evening after delivering a speech at a rally in Mbinga, a southern town situated over 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from Dar es Salaam, the nation’s commercial center.
In the October polls, Tanzania is scheduled to elect both the president and members of parliament.
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Opposition Demands Electoral Reforms
The opposition factions in Tanzania have been consistently demanding electoral reforms to guarantee the forthcoming election is conducted in a free and fair manner. CHADEMA, in a statement released on Saturday, affirmed its opposition to participating in elections lacking “fundamental electoral reforms”.
Human rights advocates have levied accusations against the administration of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, alleging the use of heavy-handed tactics targeting the opposition. The government refutes these allegations.
In 2017, three years prior to the preceding election, Lissu survived an assassination attempt where he sustained 16 gunshot wounds. His party has voiced criticism regarding legislation perceived to favor the ruling CCM party, which has maintained power since Tanzania attained independence in 1961.