In a dramatic turn ahead of Tanzania’s October 29 presidential election, opposition leader Luhaga Mpina has secured his place on the ballot after a court ruling overturned his earlier disqualification.
The decision injects new energy into the race that had seemed heavily tilted toward incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
Court Ruling Paves the Way
On Thursday, Tanzania’s High Court nullified a previous decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that barred Mpina, a senior politician representing the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo), from submitting his nomination papers. The electoral body had initially cited alleged procedural lapses by ACT-Wazalendo as grounds for blocking his candidacy.
Mpina successfully challenged the decision, arguing that political parties are constitutionally guaranteed the right to participate in the electoral process. His reinstatement not only affirms that principle but also reshapes the political landscape, which until this week seemed destined to feature Hassan against only minor challengers.
Mpina’s Defiant Message
After filing his nomination papers in Dar es Salaam, Mpina struck a confident tone, warning against what he described as the misuse of state authority to silence political rivals.
“Opposition politicians and opposition parties are not treasonous and criminals. There is no need to use authorities to punish political parties,” he told reporters, signaling his intent to campaign vigorously despite the challenges.
INEC chairperson confirmed the acceptance of his nomination, officially placing Mpina on the ballot for ACT-Wazalendo. His candidacy will likely galvanize supporters who have felt sidelined in recent years by government restrictions on opposition movements.
A Tough Road Ahead
Despite Mpina’s win in court, Tanzania’s opposition continues to face steep obstacles. Earlier this year, the main opposition party CHADEMA was disqualified from the election after refusing to sign the electoral code of conduct, part of its broader call for democratic reforms. Its chairperson, Tundu Lissu, remains in jail facing treason charges—an arrest that has fueled international criticism of President Hassan’s human rights record.
Hassan, who took office in March 2021 following the death of former President John Magufuli, has rejected accusations of authoritarianism, maintaining that her administration is committed to safeguarding human rights. Yet with opposition parties sidelined or under pressure, the dominance of CCM appears secure, leaving Mpina to fight an uphill battle to challenge the ruling establishment.
The Bigger Picture
The reinstatement of Luhaga Mpina’s candidacy underscores the delicate balance between Tanzania’s legal institutions and its political machinery. For voters, it revives a measure of competition in an election that had been drifting toward a one-sided contest. Whether Mpina’s late entry can meaningfully shift the momentum against President Hassan and CCM remains to be seen, but his presence on the ballot ensures that Tanzanians will at least have a choice that reflects the country’s multiparty spirit.
