Tanzania - August 2025

On 27 August, Tanzania’s electoral commission (Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC) barred Luhaga Mpina, presidential nominee of ACT-Wazalendo—the country’s second-largest opposition party—from contesting the 29 October election, citing alleged irregularities in his party’s internal nomination procedure. INEC confirmed 17 presidential candidates, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan, but excluded Mpina. In April, INEC also disqualified Chadema (Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo), the leading opposition party. ACT-Wazalendo has launched a legal challenge, arguing Mpina had completed all procedures lawfully. His disqualification follows his defection from the ruling CCM and highlights growing concerns over the independence of Tanzania’s electoral institutions ahead of a vote now lacking major opposition contenders.

Sources: Independent National Electoral Commission (1), Independent National Electoral Commission (2), The Citizen, Reuters, International Crisis Group, International IDEA