DODOMA, Tanzania – Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, has been disqualified from the upcoming elections later this year after failing to sign a code of conduct document required by the election commission.
This decision comes just days after CHADEMA’s leader, Tundu Lissu, was charged with treason for allegedly attempting to disrupt the vote.
Ramadhani Kailima, the Director of Elections at the Independent National Elections Commission, confirmed on Saturday that the party’s failure to sign the code of conduct by the designated deadline nullified its participation in the October presidential and parliamentary elections.
Kailima further added that the disqualification would extend to all by-elections until 2030.
“Any party that did not sign the code of conduct will not participate in the general election,” said Kailima, cementing CHADEMA’s exclusion from the electoral process.
The move is a significant blow to CHADEMA, which has been one of the most vocal critics of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government.
The decision to disqualify the party follows the treason charges filed against Tundu Lissu on Thursday, just days before the code of conduct signing ceremony.
Lissu, a former presidential candidate, was accused of inciting the public to rebel and disrupt the upcoming elections.
The treason charge carries severe penalties, including the death penalty, but Lissu was not allowed to enter a plea at this stage.
The timing of the disqualification has raised concerns about political fairness and freedom in Tanzania, with critics accusing President Hassan’s administration of suppressing opposition voices.
The disqualification, combined with the treason charges against Lissu, has intensified scrutiny of President Hassan’s human rights record as she seeks re-election.
Opposition parties and rights campaigners have accused the government of escalating its crackdown on political dissent, citing recent unexplained abductions and killings.
The government, however, has denied these allegations, stating that it respects human rights and has launched investigations into the reported abductions.
CHADEMA had previously threatened to boycott the elections unless significant reforms were made to the electoral process, which it claims disproportionately favors the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
On the day of the signing, CHADEMA announced it would not participate in the code of conduct ceremony, continuing its push for electoral reforms.
