Tanzania is set to hold general elections on October 29, the electoral body announced Saturday. The vote will choose the president, members of parliament, and ward councillors across the East African nation.
Candidates will be nominated between August 9 and 27, ahead of the polls, according to election officials. Jacobs Mwambegele, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, urged all election stakeholders to follow the laws.
He spoke at a meeting with political leaders in Dodoma, Tanzania’s capital, emphasizing fair participation. The country has 37.65 million registered voters ready to cast ballots in the upcoming election.
This election follows the last general vote held in 2020, scheduled on a regular five-year cycle. However, the main opposition party, Chadema, has been disqualified from participating by the commission earlier this year.
Chadema refused to sign an electoral code of conduct, demanding reforms before committing to the process. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, was jailed in April and currently faces treason charges, punishable by death.
The opposition accuses President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government of repressing dissent through violence and intimidation. Reports include alleged kidnappings, murders, and disqualification of numerous opposition candidates in previous elections.
Despite the challenges, the government insists the election will proceed legally and openly across Tanzania. The political landscape remains tense as the nation approaches this pivotal moment in its democracy.