Chadema, Tanzania’s principal opposition party, has been barred from the upcoming general elections due to its refusal to sign the electoral code of conduct. This decision follows charges of treason against its leader, Tundu Lissu, amid accusations of electoral manipulation by the ruling CCM party. Chadema plans to challenge this disqualification in court to push for necessary reforms before the elections.
Tanzania’s leading opposition party, Chadema, has been disqualified from the upcoming general election due to its refusal to sign the electoral code of conduct. This decision was announced by Ramadhani Kailima, director of the Independent National Elections Commission (INEC), following the party’s failure to meet the deadline set. Consequently, Chadema is barred from participating in the parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for October.
Earlier, Chadema’s secretary-general, John Mnyika, boycotted the INEC meeting to protest their demands for electoral reforms, citing a lack of adequate government response. The INEC official stated that any party failing to comply by the deadline would be excluded from elections for the next five years and emphasized there would be no opportunity for reconsideration.
The party’s leader, Tundu Lissu, was recently charged with treason after a rally where he advocated for electoral reforms. This charge follows allegations of manipulation during local elections last year, which Chadema claims favored the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, its long-standing adversary since 1977.
Chadema accuses President Samia Suluhu Hassan of reviving authoritarian practices reminiscent of her predecessor, John Magufuli. The party intends to petition the high court for electoral reforms before the impending elections. Lissu previously threatened to disrupt the elections if the electoral system remained unaltered, highlighting the persistent disregard for the opposition’s proposals by the ruling party.
Lawyer Rugemeleza Nshalla criticized Lissu’s arrest, suggesting it served to suppress a fundamental dissenting voice. He argued that such efforts highlight the extent to which the government resorts to repressive measures by banning gatherings and making arrests to silence opposition leaders.
Initially, Hassan’s administration was viewed positively for correcting some of Magufuli’s harsh policies. However, increasing repression, including the arrest of opposition figures and incidents of violence against dissenters, has drawn condemnation from human rights organizations and international observers.
The disqualification of Chadema from the upcoming elections marks a significant setback for Tanzania’s opposition, highlighting ongoing struggles for electoral reforms. The arrest of leader Tundu Lissu, along with the government’s heavy-handed tactics towards dissent, raises concerns about the political climate leading up to the elections. The ruling CCM party appears poised to maintain its dominance, effectively stifling critical opposition voices and calls for reform.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
