SADC OBSERVERS CRITICISE TANZANIA’S POLLS IN A PRELIMINARY REPORT

Southern African Development Community (SADC) Election Observers stated in the key findings of their preliminary report that they encountered numerous challenges, including difficulties in consulting with local stakeholders in Tanzania. By Jean-Pierre A

President Samia with African leaders who answered present for her swearing in ceremony. Photo courtesy

They reported that local stakeholders were often unwilling to share information, that the observers were subjected to aggressive interrogation in some regions by security forces, and that their documents, including passports, were seized.

Samia Suluhu Hassan won the election with a landslide victory of almost 98% of the votes amid protests in several parts of the country. According to the United Nations, ten people died, but the main opposition party, Chadema, alleges that about 700 were killed during protests that occurred during and after the elections.

President Samia was sworn in earlier today in Dodoma, the administrative capital, in a low-key ceremony held at a military base.

SADC observers said in their preliminary statement that it is a requirement of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021) that Member States facilitate the observation of the entire electoral cycle of their national elections by SEOMs, including the deployment of Goodwill Missions, Long Term Observers, Short Term Observers, and pre-election assessment processes.

According to the SADC mission, the country remained calm and peaceful during the pre-election period and most of election day, except for isolated incidents toward the close of voting.

However, the mission observed instances or threats of violence during voting, closing, and counting processes in several areas.

The Southern African regional body noted that a few stakeholders cautioned that the apparent calm and peace concealed covert acts of intimidation targeting the general population, opposition political parties, and candidates. “These stakeholders cited alleged abductions of some political activists. They also described a tense and intimidating political atmosphere,” read part of the preliminary statement seen by this publication.

Furthermore, the SADC mission highlighted the arrest of opposition members, notably the detention and trial of Tundu Lissu, the leader of the main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), on treason charges.

“The disqualification of certain opposition candidates, particularly that of Mr. Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, also raised questions about the fairness of the electoral landscape, especially on the mainland,” said the SADC mission.

According to the SADC observers, some stakeholders viewed the arrests and disqualifications as undermining the URT’s multi-party system by removing legitimate competition in the electoral process. “This appears to create an uneven political playing field, which in turn discourages public participation and voter turnout,” noted the observers.

Article 4.1.7 of the Principles and Guidelines obliges Member States to “guarantee an environment of open contest with no undue exclusion or restriction on anyone to vote, as well as the right of eligible and qualified citizens to stand as candidates in any election.”

Despite the challenges, the SADC mission noted that most stakeholders believed the two Electoral Management Bodies were adequately prepared to conduct the 2025 elections.

The elections were overseen by the INEC and ZEC, established under Article 74 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania and Article 119 of the Constitution of Zanzibar, respectively.

The SADC preliminary statement notes that mixed views were expressed regarding electoral law reforms. “Some stakeholders expressed concern that there had been no comprehensive electoral law reforms since the previous elections, and that one party even declared non-participation in the absence of constructive reforms.”

Some of the recommendations include creating an enabling environment to ensure that there are no exclusionary requirements for individuals seeking to be nominated for election.

“The Electoral Management Bodies and security personnel are urged to take measures to ensure that international election observers are accredited on time, provided with all administrative documentation as required by law, and given appropriate treatment when conducting their duties,” recommended the SADC observers’ mission.

The SADC mission concluded that, in most areas, voters could not freely express their democratic will. “Overall, the 2025 General Election in the United Republic of Tanzania fell short of the requirements of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections,” noted SADC in its preliminary statement.

The Mission appealed to citizens of the country to channel their concerns through established legal procedures and processes rather than resorting to violence or threats thereof.