Tanzania’s largest opposition party, CHADEMA, on Friday criticized its banning from the coming national elections as unconstitutional, days after its leader was arrested and charged with treason.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday declared that CHADEMA had been disqualified from contesting the presidential and parliamentary elections, due in October, for not signing the electoral code of conduct. The party, however, contends that such a move contravenes its constitutional rights.
“A constitutional right cannot be withdrawn by a code of conduct established by the National Electoral Commission,” declared CHADEMA’s Chief Attorney, Rugemeleza Nshala.
Lissu, a leading opposition figure and survivor of a 2017 attempted assassination in which he was shot 16 times, was accused of treason last week. Prosecutors say he caused rebellion through a speech meant to interfere with the electoral process.
The decision to prosecute Lissu and ban CHADEMA is likely to draw new criticism over Tanzania’s human rights record. The government has been accused by critics of ramping up political repression, citing the mysterious disappearances and deaths of critics of the government. Although the government refutes the allegations, it has promised to probe the reported incidents.
CHADEMA has long challenged the integrity of Tanzania’s electoral process, arguing it is biased heavily in favor of the ruling party. The party has continuously threatened to boycott the elections if meaningful reforms are not brought into effect. “Our stance remains the same, no reforms, no elections,” Nshala said.
Attempts to reach INEC for a comment were unsuccessful when the story was filed.
As tensions rise in the run-up to the October elections, the exclusion of one of Tanzania’s biggest opposition parties could further politicise the situation and attract more international attention.
