Chadema sues registrar of political parties over alleged bias

Dar es Salaam. Opposition party Chadema has resolved to sue the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, accusing it of acting in bad faith and exceeding its legal mandate.

Chadema Vice Chairman (Mainland), Mr John Heche, said on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, that the party’s Central Committee, which convened its meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, had agreed to seek legal redress following a recent letter from the Registrar.

“The committee has directed that the case be filed in court by Monday, June 9, 2025,” Mr Heche said while outlining the resolutions.

“Our main contention is that the Registrar has no authority to interpret our party constitution based on his understanding, which contradicts its intended meaning,” he added.

Emphasising, Mr Heche said: “We are going to court because the Registrar has assumed the role of interpreting our constitution, as though he understands it better than we and everyone else.”

Subsidy dispute

Mr Heche further claimed that the move was prompted by the Registrar’s alleged decision to block Chadema’s government subsidy.

He cited Section 18(6) of the Political Parties Act, which allows the Registrar to withhold funds from political parties only if the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) raises concerns in a financial audit.

“If we had received an adverse opinion from the CAG, then under Section 18(6), the Registrar would have grounds to withhold the funds. He would also be obliged to inform us in writing, explaining the reasons,” said Mr Heche.

However, he alleged that the Registrar acted arbitrarily, without citing any audit findings or following proper procedures.

“This is why we are heading to court—to challenge the unlawful and unilateral decision to deny us our subsidy,” he added.

Chadema has long accused the Registrar’s office of political bias and favouritism towards the ruling party—allegations the office has consistently denied.

The latest confrontation adds to the mounting tensions between the government and the main opposition party, which has intensified its calls for constitutional reforms and the expansion of democratic space.