Tanzania’s electoral commission has disqualified Luhaga Mpina, leader of ACT Wazalendo, the country’s second-largest opposition party, for the second time. The move comes only days after a court had cleared his nomination, in what is likely to heighten political tensions ahead of next month’s presidential election.
The decision effectively clears the path for incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who now faces little competition in her bid for re-election. With ACT Wazalendo out of the race, the absence of strong opposition candidates has raised questions about the competitiveness of the poll.
The disqualification follows a series of setbacks for opposition parties this year. In April, the main opposition party, CHADEMA, was barred from contesting after it refused to sign the electoral code of conduct. The party argued that reforms promised by the government had not been implemented, and accused authorities of undermining fair participation.
CHADEMA’s presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu, has been in custody since April on treason charges that he strongly denies. His arrest and continued detention have drawn criticism from human rights groups, who see it as part of a broader clampdown on dissent.
With both ACT Wazalendo and CHADEMA sidelined, the political landscape ahead of the election has narrowed significantly. Observers note that the disqualification of major opposition candidates risks weakening public confidence in the electoral process, even as the electoral commission defends its decisions as consistent with the law.
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