Tanzania’s leading opposition party, CHADEMA, has denounced its disqualification from the upcoming elections as unconstitutional, following the recent arrest and treason charges against its leader, Tundu Lissu.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ruled on Saturday that CHADEMA could not participate in the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for October, citing the party’s failure to sign an election code of conduct document.
Lissu, who narrowly survived a 2017 assassination attempt in which he was shot 16 times, was charged last week with treason. Prosecutors allege he called for a public rebellion in a speech, urging the disruption of the election.
The government’s move to charge Lissu with a capital offense and bar his party from contesting the elections is expected to attract heightened scrutiny of its human rights record.
“A constitutional right cannot be revoked by a code of conduct devised by the National Electoral Commission,” said Rugemeleza Nshala, CHADEMA’s Chief Attorney.
Reuters was unable to immediately reach a spokesperson from the election commission for comment.
CHADEMA had previously warned of a potential election boycott unless significant reforms were implemented, arguing that the current electoral system heavily favors the ruling party.
“Our position remains unchanged: no reforms, no elections,” Nshala added.
Rights groups and opposition parties have accused President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government of intensifying its crackdown on political opposition, citing numerous reports of abductions and killings.
The government has denied these allegations and has initiated investigations into the claims of abductions.