Election participation hinges on reforms, ACT Wazalendo says

Dar es Salaam. ACT Wazalendo has yet to decide whether to participate in future elections, pending the completion of necessary reforms to Tanzania’s electoral system.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party has emphasised that whether or not to participate in elections before the reforms are implemented will be determined by the party’s National Leadership Committee at the right time.

In a statement signed by the party’s secretary general, Mr Ado Shaibu, released on February 24 after their meeting on February 23, 2025, the party’s NEC reiterated that its current priority is fighting for electoral reforms that will ensure justice and respect for the will of the people.

“The question of whether to participate or not participate in elections before the necessary reforms are made will be decided by the National Leadership Committee at an appropriate time,” the statement read.

While the final decision on election participation remains pending, ACT Wazalendo has made it clear that it will not participate in future elections without implementing reforms that guarantee a just and credible electoral process.

The party also emphasised that the time for pleading for reforms is over and that it is now time for a real struggle to demand the required changes.

“Members and leaders of ACT Wazalendo at all levels are directed to prepare for the struggle to protect and defend democracy in Tanzania so that every citizen’s vote can have value,” ACT said.

The meeting reviewed the challenges faced in the 2024 local government elections and the broader political landscape, which the party believes does not support a fair electoral process.

ACT Wazalendo has called for reforms, including the establishment of independent electoral commissions for both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar and the rejection of early voting in Zanzibar.

Despite the ongoing political tensions, ACT Wazalendo has not ruled out participation in future elections but has made it clear that any decision will depend on the outcome of the reform efforts.

“Our party’s focus is on the fight for reforms in the electoral system,” the NEC statement said, stressing that these reforms must be in place to restore justice and integrity to the electoral process.

The party has also expressed strong dissatisfaction with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s reconciliation initiative, which it believes has not been followed through.

The NEC pointed out that there has been no political will to deliver on promises related to free, fair, and credible elections.

“The reconciliation initiative promised by President Samia Suluhu Hassan has collapsed, and her 4R philosophy has evaporated,” the party stated, highlighting the disconnect between her promises and the actions taken by the government.

ACT Wazalendo also continues to prepare a report on human rights violations during the 2024 Local Government Elections, which included incidents of violence, killings, abductions, and abuse by both the Tanzanian government and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.

Regarding Zanzibar, the party stated that it has a detailed report on the killing of 21 citizens and other acts of brutality that occurred during the 2020 General Election.

Additionally, ACT Wazalendo has documented significant human rights violations in Zanzibar from 2020 to 2025 and has resolved to publish these reports and share them with democracy stakeholders, including the international community and financial institutions.

The party also plans to collaborate with international bodies to bring these cases to international courts.

In response to these challenges, the party has decided to further cooperate with other opposition parties, civil society organisations, and religious leaders to build a broad-based movement for electoral reform.

Additionally, they plan to launch a nationwide campaign, ‘Operation Protect Democracy,’ aimed at mobilising Tanzanians to demand their rights and push for meaningful reforms.

Dar es Salaam. ACT Wazalendo has yet to decide whether to participate in future elections, pending the completion of necessary reforms to Tanzania’s electoral system.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party has emphasised that whether or not to participate in elections before the reforms are implemented will be determined by the party’s National Leadership Committee at the right time.

In a statement signed by the party’s secretary general, Mr Ado Shaibu, released on February 24 after their meeting on February 23, 2025, the party’s NEC reiterated that its current priority is fighting for electoral reforms that will ensure justice and respect for the will of the people.

“The question of whether to participate or not participate in elections before the necessary reforms are made will be decided by the National Leadership Committee at an appropriate time,” the statement read.

While the final decision on election participation remains pending, ACT Wazalendo has made it clear that it will not participate in future elections without implementing reforms that guarantee a just and credible electoral process.

The party also emphasised that the time for pleading for reforms is over and that it is now time for a real struggle to demand the required changes.

“Members and leaders of ACT Wazalendo at all levels are directed to prepare for the struggle to protect and defend democracy in Tanzania so that every citizen’s vote can have value,” ACT said.

The meeting reviewed the challenges faced in the 2024 local government elections and the broader political landscape, which the party believes does not support a fair electoral process.

ACT Wazalendo has called for reforms, including the establishment of independent electoral commissions for both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar and the rejection of early voting in Zanzibar.

Despite the ongoing political tensions, ACT Wazalendo has not ruled out participation in future elections but has made it clear that any decision will depend on the outcome of the reform efforts.

“Our party’s focus is on the fight for reforms in the electoral system,” the NEC statement said, stressing that these reforms must be in place to restore justice and integrity to the electoral process.

The party has also expressed strong dissatisfaction with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s reconciliation initiative, which it believes has not been followed through.

The NEC pointed out that there has been no political will to deliver on promises related to free, fair, and credible elections.

“The reconciliation initiative promised by President Samia Suluhu Hassan has collapsed, and her 4R philosophy has evaporated,” the party stated, highlighting the disconnect between her promises and the actions taken by the government.

ACT Wazalendo also continues to prepare a report on human rights violations during the 2024 Local Government Elections, which included incidents of violence, killings, abductions, and abuse by both the Tanzanian government and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.

Regarding Zanzibar, the party stated that it has a detailed report on the killing of 21 citizens and other acts of brutality that occurred during the 2020 General Election.

Additionally, ACT Wazalendo has documented significant human rights violations in Zanzibar from 2020 to 2025 and has resolved to publish these reports and share them with democracy stakeholders, including the international community and financial institutions.

The party also plans to collaborate with international bodies to bring these cases to international courts.

In response to these challenges, the party has decided to further cooperate with other opposition parties, civil society organisations, and religious leaders to build a broad-based movement for electoral reform.

Additionally, they plan to launch a nationwide campaign, ‘Operation Protect Democracy,’ aimed at mobilising Tanzanians to demand their rights and push for meaningful reforms.