Tanzania’s upcoming general election, set for October 29, 2025, has taken a controversial turn, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) emerging as the lone major contender. What was expected to be a competitive race has turned into what observers describe as a “one-horse race,” following the disqualification and detention of key opposition figures.
Opposition Barred from Contesting
The main opposition party, CHADEMA, has been barred from participating after allegedly failing to sign a mandatory electoral code of conduct by April 12. Its presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu, was arrested on charges of incitement and treason days before the deadline. His arrest came after a rally in Mbinga, where he criticized the government’s electoral reforms and called for greater transparency.
Although officials claim CHADEMA’s disqualification was due to a procedural lapse, many political observers view it as part of a wider pattern of state interference. With Lissu in custody, CHADEMA’s campaign machinery has effectively been crippled, sparking public outrage and condemnation from rights groups.
Suppression of Political Alternatives
The government’s clampdown did not end with CHADEMA. Former CCM member Luhaga Mpina, who joined ACT-Wazalendo, was also barred from running. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) claimed his nomination violated election laws but offered no clear justification. When Mpina and his party challenged the ruling in court, the High Court of Tanzania dismissed their petition, citing a lack of jurisdiction to review electoral commission decisions.
Attorney General Hamza Saidi Johari later defended the decision, asserting that INEC’s powers are constitutionally protected. This has further deepened public skepticism about the independence of Tanzania’s judicial and electoral systems.
Suluhu’s Uncontested Path
While 17 candidates were initially cleared to run, most represent minor political parties with limited reach, such as the National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA), Alliance for Africa Farmers Party (AAFP), and Chama cha Makini. With CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo sidelined, President Suluhu now faces little to no competition as she seeks her first full term since taking over in 2021 following John Magufuli’s death.
Her running mate, Emmanuel Nchimbi, a former minister, has been central to CCM’s campaign strategy built around Vision 2050, a plan that pledges economic transformation and infrastructure development.
However, Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have accused Suluhu’s government of repressing dissent, harassing journalists, and silencing civil society groups. Reports indicate that by August 2024, over 80 opposition figures and activists had disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
Erosion of Democracy
Since independence in 1961, CCM has maintained uninterrupted rule, but political analysts warn that the 2025 elections represent a turning point toward authoritarianism. The party’s dominance, bolstered by strong ties to the military, business elite, and media, makes genuine competition almost impossible.
In the November 2024 local elections, CCM secured 98% of available seats, results widely denounced as fraudulent amid reports of violence, intimidation, and abductions of opposition members.
Critics argue that Tanzania is now operating under “electoral authoritarianism”—a system where democratic structures exist in form but not in substance. Despite this, CCM retains significant popularity in rural areas, where development programs and patronage networks remain influential.
As the election day approaches, Tanzania’s political future appears sealed in favor of the ruling party. While Suluhu’s re-election may be guaranteed, the credibility of Tanzania’s democracy and its international reputation stand increasingly in question.
