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Tanzania Election Update: The primary opposition party in Tanzania, Chadema, has been prohibited from participating in the upcoming national elections. This development follows closely after the party’s leader, Tundu Lissu, was formally accused of treason, escalating political tensions in the East African nation.
Opposition Party Chadema Disqualified from Tanzania Elections
According to Ramadhani Kailima, the elections director at the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Chadema’s disqualification stems from their failure to endorse a stipulated code of conduct by the designated deadline on Saturday. This omission effectively excludes them from the October polls.
Treason Charges Against Chadema Leader Tundu Lissu
The prohibition comes on the heels of the arrest and subsequent treason charges leveled against Chadema’s leader, Tundu Lissu, last week. These charges were initiated after a political gathering in southern Tanzania where Lissu advocated for significant electoral reforms.
CCM Party’s Position Strengthened
This recent action is anticipated to bolster the prospects of the ruling CCM party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, which has maintained its dominance in Tanzanian politics for nearly sixty years.
Code of Conduct Dispute Leads to Ban
“Any political party that did not append their signature to the code of conduct will be ineligible to contest in the general election,” Mr. Kailima affirmed on Saturday. He further stated that Chadema would also be barred from any forthcoming by-elections until 2030.
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Chadema had previously announced its decision to abstain from the code of conduct signing ceremony on Saturday, citing it as part of their campaign to push for essential voting system changes.
Lissu Expected to Challenge President Hassan
Tanzania is scheduled to hold parliamentary and presidential elections. Tundu Lissu was widely expected to be the main challenger to the current President, Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Government Accused of Intensifying Crackdown
President Hassan initially garnered praise for reversing some of the more authoritarian policies of her predecessor, John Magufuli, when she assumed office in 2021 following his death.
However, advocacy groups and opposition factions have since অভিযোগed Hassan’s administration of escalating suppression against political rivals, highlighting detentions and abductions targeting opposition figures. The government has refuted these claims and initiated investigations into the reported abductions.
CCM’s Long-Standing Rule
CCM, one of Africa’s longest-ruling parties, has governed Tanzania since 1977.
Chadema’s Demand for Electoral Reforms
Under the banner “No Reforms, No Election,” Lissu has contended that the prerequisites for free and fair elections are absent without significant modifications to Tanzania’s electoral processes.
Lissu has argued for a reconstitution of the electoral commission, asserting that it should not include individuals directly appointed by President Hassan.
Authorities Allege Election Disruption Plot
Authorities have accused Lissu of attempting to disrupt the electoral process and incite insurrection.
Lissu’s Treason Case Adjourned
He remains in custody, and his treason case has been postponed until April 24th. His legal representative, Rugemeleza Nshala, informed Reuters that the accusations are politically motivated, stating, “You cannot separate these charges from politics.”
Opposition Leader’s History of Political Engagement
Lissu has faced arrest on numerous occasions. In 2017, he survived an assassination attempt where his vehicle sustained sixteen bullet impacts.
Following this, he lived in exile, briefly returning in 2020 to participate in the election against Magufuli. He departed after the election results were announced, alleging widespread irregularities.
He returned to Tanzania again in 2023, subsequent to reforms initiated by President Samia, which her government proclaimed were intended to foster greater freedom for the opposition.