Hassan's Path Cleared As Opposition Contenders Dismissing

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has secured her place on the presidential ballot for the general election slated for 29 October 2025, following approval from the Independent National Electoral Commission alongside her running mate, Emmanuel Nchimbi. At the same time, key opposition contenders-including Luhaga Mpina of ACT‐Wazalendo and the CHADEMA party-have been excluded, drawing sharp criticism from opposition groups and advocates for democratic integrity.

Electoral authorities barred Luhaga Mpina, nominee of the Alliance for Change and Transparency, citing procedural irregularities in the party's candidate selection, though the party disputes the legitimacy of the grounds provided. Meanwhile, CHADEMA was disqualified in April for failing to sign the mandatory electoral code of conduct, a requirement strictly enforced by the election commission.

Observers and rights organisations warn that the sidelining of leading opposition factions-combined with high-profile legal actions and barriers to court transparency-may undermine the credibility of the election. Tundu Lissu, the chair of CHADEMA, remains incarcerated on treason charges, with a court directive banning live coverage of his trial, a move widely criticised as reducing judicial openness. Human rights groups have also documented numerous cases of abductions and disappearances of government critics, involving individuals identifying themselves as police officers, intensifying concerns over political freedoms.

Campaign season has officially commenced. A total of 17 candidates-including Hassan, representing the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi -were confirmed by the electoral commission. Nominations have begun quietly in Dodoma, with other contenders from smaller parties stepping forward amid the notable absence of CHADEMA and ACT‐Wazalendo.

President Hassan, seeking her first full term after succeeding John Magufuli in 2021, has called on her party to remain united. Her campaign emphasises continuity, promising industrial growth, universal healthcare, and youth employment initiatives.

Opposition voices have denounced the election commission's decisions as politically motivated and undermining democratic norms. ACT‐Wazalendo's Secretary General labelled the decision“shameful”, questioning the electoral body's professionalism and independence. Growing international concern is emerging over the trajectory of governance in the country, as the electoral field narrows significantly.

While authorities maintain that procedures are being followed and the process remains within legal bounds, critics argue that the cumulative effect of opposition exclusions, tightened media restrictions, and opaque judicial orders may tilt the electoral landscape unmistakably toward the incumbent.

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