THRDC pushes for action: 10 reforms needed for fair 2025 elections

Dar es Salaam. As Tanzania prepares for the 2025 General Election, the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) has called for a comprehensive national consensus to address longstanding electoral grievances and ensure a peaceful, free, and fair election.

In a detailed statement released on Friday, April 11, 2025, THRDC underscored the importance of inclusive dialogue that brings together political parties, civil society, religious leaders, and government institutions under the stewardship of respected and impartial national elders.

The coalition warned that failure to address critical issues raised by citizens, civil society, and opposition parties could undermine national unity and democratic progress.

“We believe that a National Consensus is urgently needed to address persistent fears and unresolved electoral concerns before Tanzanians head to the polls,” said the THRDC National Coordinator, Mr Onesmo Olengurumwa.

“For too long, we have allowed electoral issues to be monopolised by politicians. Yet the right to vote, to be heard, and to participate in leadership processes are every citizen’s businesses,” he added.

While acknowledging recent reforms introduced under President Samia Suluhu Hassan—such as allowing prisoners to vote and preventing unopposed candidates from automatically securing seats—THRDC maintained that these measures remain insufficient to guarantee truly free, fair, and credible elections.

The coalition insists that deeper, more structural issues remain unresolved—issues that have plagued past elections and eroded public trust in the electoral process.

Among the most pressing concerns is the continued use of public servants as election supervisors.

THRDC argues that officials belonging to the executive branch cannot be trusted to operate independently in a political contest where their appointing authority was among the candidates.

“Election returning officers must not be drawn solely from the pool of government employees. The perception—and often the reality—is that they cannot act without bias,” emphasised Mr Olengurumwa.

Another issue was the persistent trend of closing nomination offices when opposition candidates attempt to submit their forms.

THRDC notes that the tactic has been deployed to disqualify viable contenders on flimsy procedural grounds, such as spelling mistakes or allegedly incomplete documentation.

The coalition believes such practices do not require legal reform to be halted—they only need firm political will and a shared national agreement, highlighting the unlawful disqualification of opposition candidates.

“In the 2019, 2020, and 2024 elections, we saw candidates barred from contesting for questionable reasons—ranging from minor clerical errors to unjust claims about their literacy,” said Mr Olengurumwa.

He added that rather than being punished, such candidates should be granted time to correct their forms.

Equally worrying is the treatment of opposition polling agents, many of whom have been ejected from polling stations or denied accreditation under questionable circumstances.

“In several cases, agents were removed after polls had already opened, leaving votes unmonitored and unverified,” he said, stressing that the move weakens electoral transparency and opens the door to manipulation.

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The coalition also expressed concern over the increased use of criminal charges as a political tool during the electoral period.

According to the coalition, electoral offences should not be combined with serious criminal acts—a practice that intimidates politicians and voters, suppresses legitimate dissent, and fosters fear among the electorate.

“The use of legal processes to silence political voices undermines democratic engagement and could discourage participation in electoral activities,” said the THRDC country coordinator.

Restrictions on media and civil society during elections also came under sharp criticism as THRDC condemned the current requirement for election observers to submit their reports for approval before making them public and the de facto censorship of media outlets reporting irregularities.

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“We must allow observers and journalists to tell the truth in real time. Suppressing information breeds suspicion and unrest,” argued Mr Olengurumwa, who underscored the role of state security organs during elections as another point of concern.

THRDC cited recurring incidents in past elections where public rallies were disrupted, opposition activities were restricted, and in some cases, excessive force was reportedly used against civilians.

“The involvement of security agencies in election-related intimidation not only undermines trust but also threatens peace and stability,” he said.

Procedural loopholes in electoral laws were also flagged as Mr Olengurumwa pointed out that under current regulations, vote counting can proceed even in the absence of candidates or their agents, leaving room for manipulation.

The coalition proposed that these gaps be addressed urgently and called for all stakeholders to be granted access to polling and tallying centres, including those in prison facilities.

THRDC also urged the electoral commission to grant public access to the information on the procurement of election materials to build trust ahead of the polls.

Concerns were also raised over the integrity and safety of ballot papers, especially amid recurring reports of fake ballots and irregularities in result transmission.

“The public must have confidence that their votes will be counted and respected. Without transparency in the casting, storage, and tallying of votes, the legitimacy of the entire process is at risk,” warned Mr Olengurumwa.

However, THRDC stressed that the time for political maturity and honest dialogue was now, challenging that the country must embrace the spirit of reconciliation and reform, as embodied in President Samia’s 4Rs philosophy.

He emphasised that the goal should not be to win at all costs but to protect the unity and dignity of the nation.

The coalition called upon retired national leaders and respected elders to break their silence and guide the country toward consensus.

“We urge them to use their wisdom and experience to foster an environment where every Tanzanian feels their rights are protected, regardless of disparities in political affiliation,” he said.

“Meaningful reforms are still possible, but only if Tanzanians come together in good faith, set aside their differences, and put the nation first,” he insisted.