As the country slides towards electoral authoritarianism, even Southern African Development Community and East African Community election observers have been excluded from the polls.

Tanzania is approaching its October 2025 general elections with uncertainty. The main opposition party Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) has been disqualified from running, and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) is manoeuvring to claim its seventh consecutive term.

Chadema chairperson Tundu Lissu is in custody on treason charges due to his party's demands for electoral reforms. The "no reforms, no elections" campaign has been interpreted by the courts as an attempt to disrupt the polls. Lissu has also been charged with incitement and publishing false information. The treason charges are non-bailable and carry the death penalty.

Tanzania has had six elections since multiparty democracy was introduced in 1995. The CCM has won them all, making it one of Africa's longest-ruling independent parties. Much of this electoral dominance has resulted from exclusion, censorship, electoral fraud and violence against the opposition.

Tanzania is sliding into electoral authoritarianism -- a system where polls are held, but within a manipulated process where the ruling party retains power through state control, patronage, violence, intimidation and the manipulation of...