CCM stands firm against Chadema's ‘No Reform, No Election’ position

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“Reforms have been implemented, and elections will proceed as outlined in the country’s Constitution. Several important changes have been made to the electoral laws ahead of the upcoming elections,” he told MCL journalists during the visit.

CCM-led reforms

Mr Makalla mentioned the enactment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (NEC) Act of 2024, the Presidential, Parliamentary, and Councillors' Elections Act of 2024, and the Political Parties Affairs Laws (Amendment) Act of 2024 last year as examples of reforms that will help make this year’s elections free and fair.

One of the key changes in the INEC Act is the appointment of the electoral body's five commissioners through an open application process, followed by a competitive interview.

The committee conducting the interviews consist of the Chief Justice (CJ), the Zanzibar Chief Justice (ZCJ), and the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG).

The President is also required to appoint a fifth member based on gender considerations, while the Director of Elections becomes the committee secretary.

However, the appointment of the INEC Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson by the President remains unchanged, as it is stipulated by Article 74 (1)(a)(b) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Additionally, the INEC Director of Elections remains the Presidential appointee following a nomination by the Commission.

The INEC chief executive is also required to meet specific qualifications, including being a senior officer in the public service.

The newly introduced Presidential, Parliamentary and Councillors' Elections Act of 2024 abolishes the previous practice of automatically declaring sole parliamentary and councillor candidates as winners without a vote.

Instead, these candidates must now undergo voting, and those who secure the highest number of votes will be declared winners.

The Political Parties Affairs Act of 2024 also specifies that political party demonstrations must adhere to the Police Force and Auxiliary Services Act, Cap 322.

Chadema say reforms are cosmetic

Despite these reforms, Chadema has expressed concerns about election irregularities observed during the 2020 and the 2024 local government elections.

Both elections saw CCM secure a landslide.

The opposition party believes that the changes made are cosmetic and insufficient to ensure free, fair and credible elections in Tanzania.

To push for genuine reforms, Chadema has launched the ‘No Reform, No Election’ agenda, demanding further changes to the electoral system to guarantee fairness in the October elections.

“We cannot go through elections like those of 2020 or 2024, where it’s clear that we’re being led to slaughterhouses,” said Mr Tundu Lissu, in his first address after being elected Chadema’s chairman.

On Friday, February 21, 2024, Mr Makalla reiterated that elections would proceed as scheduled, following the amendments to the laws and warned that any attempt to obstruct the process would be illegal.

“Elections cannot be blocked by just one party, while Tanzania has many other political parties,” he said.

He argued that numerous parties had the right to participate in the elections, and if Chadema chose to boycott, it had no authority to halt the process.

“If you choose to boycott and think you have the power to suspend the election process, then that is self-deception,” he added.

Mr Makalla encouraged party members to continue pursuing their political ambitions, stressing that Chadema’s position should not prevent them from registering and updating their information in the permanent voter registry.

‘Chadema is a house divided’

Mr Makalla commented on the internal unrest within Chadema, highlighting divisions between those who wish to participate in the elections and those who want to block it.

“The internal division is harming the party. They don’t have enough time to prepare for the elections, so they want to use this as an excuse to obstruct the forthcoming elections and cover their weaknesses,” he said.

Mr Makalla pointed out that some Chadema members were questioning the legitimacy of the party's Secretary-General and Central Committee members, exposing further internal turmoil.

He said there are contradictory statements within Chadema, with some leaders advocating for a boycott while others see no reason to do so.

“A grown-up person usually doesn’t publicly admit to having made mistakes. That’s why we’re seeing these conflicting statements,” he remarked.

Mr Makalla defended the party's recent decision to approve its presidential candidates ahead of schedule saying the move as being in line with the party’s constitution.

The CCM congress held in Dodoma last month endorsed President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi as the party’s presidential candidates for the Union and Zanzibar, respectively, for the October General Election.

During the congress, the party’s Secretary-General Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi was also approved as President Hassan’s running mate.

“Our constitution allows us to elect a candidate at any time, it is a normal procedure for those surprised,” he affirmed.

Mr Makalla said CCM has conducted extensive research to identify key public concerns, assuring that the findings would inform the development of the party’s election manifesto, which would address the issues identified.