Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party is poised to retain power as the country heads into its 2025 presidential election without the participation of major opposition groups. The main opposition party, Chadema, has boycotted the polls demanding electoral reforms, while the ACT-Wazalendo candidate, Luhaga Mpina, has been disqualified.
Analysts say this is the first time in over 30 years of multiparty democracy that Tanzania will hold elections with no meaningful opposition. President Samia Suluhu Hassan now faces minimal competition, raising concerns about the erosion of political pluralism and the future of democracy in the country.
In Zanzibar, however, the ACT-Wazalendo party remains active, with its candidate Othman Masoud challenging the ruling CCM’s Hussein Mwinyi amid relatively peaceful campaigns.