Chadema’s ‘No Reform, No Election’ stance sparks internal debate

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s opposition party Chadema’s ‘No Reform, No Election’ campaign has triggered internal divisions, with some party leaders and members at a crossroads as the 2025 general election approaches.

The campaign, which demands electoral reforms before participation in the elections, is causing anxiety among cadres who wish to contest for councillorship, parliamentary seats and even the presidency.

Party chairman Tundu Lissu has repeatedly stated that Chadema’s focus is on electoral system reforms rather than election preparations.

“We are not talking about boycotting the election. We will not boycott it, but we will go and tell Tanzanians and the world that if CCM [the ruling party] and the government do not implement electoral reforms for free and fair elections, then this year’s election should not happen at all,” Lissu declared in a recent address.

While Chadema remains firm on its stance, other parties are moving ahead with election preparations.

ACT-Wazalendo, for example, has already opened the floor for aspirants to declare their intentions, with party leader Dorothy Semu announcing her bid for Tanzania’s presidency, while Othman Masoud has declared his candidacy for Zanzibar’s presidency. 

The ruling party, CCM, has also confirmed President Samia Suluhu Hassan as its candidate for the Union presidency and Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi for Zanzibar’s presidency, with Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi as running mate.

Government’s response

The government has pushed back against Chadema’s demands, arguing that electoral reforms have already been implemented.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Eliakim Maswi, has dismissed Chadema’s concerns, questioning what additional reforms the party seeks.

“I have seen the reforms in place. If my counterparts do not see them, does that mean elections should not happen? Elections are conducted by citizens, and they are the ones who vote,” Maswi said.

He said that President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s ‘4R’ philosophy—Reconciliation, Resilience, Reform, and Rebuilding—has ensured political stakeholders, including opposition parties, were engaged in policy and legal reforms. 

He suggested that Chadema’s concerns might stem from a lack of election preparedness rather than genuine grievances.

Internal rift

Sources within Chadema indicate growing concerns among party members about the impact of the ‘No Reform, No Election’ stance on the party’s future. 

Some members fear that avoiding participation could weaken the party politically and financially, particularly through the loss of government subsidies.

“You know, many of us in the party want to participate in the elections. We have been preparing for a long time, but the chairman’s statements are unsettling us. We don’t know whether to continue organising our teams or to wait,” said a Chadema Central Committee member who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Another party leader from the central zone warned that Chadema risks losing ground to other opposition parties if it does not prepare for the elections.

“If we are not careful, we are heading towards sinking this party. Our counterparts are preparing, while we are pushing for ‘No Reform, No Election.’ It is a valid stance, but we should also be making preparations,” he said.

The campaign was initially adopted by the previous Central Committee under Freeman Mbowe and later endorsed by the National Executive Council and the General Assembly.

However, with growing internal tensions, it has become a test for Chadema’s new leadership.

Chadema reaffirms position

Despite the internal debates, Secretary-General John Mnyika reiterated on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, that Chadema’s priority remains pushing for electoral reforms. 

“Our position and priority at the moment is to push for reforms before the elections, and we do not want to divert the debate from this issue,” he said.

Mnyika emphasised that Chadema will continue educating its members and other stakeholders about the importance of reforms before elections.

“We urge national institutions to demand answers from the government regarding its plans for necessary electoral and legal reforms,” he added.