Dar es Salaam. The five-year tenure of Tanzania’s 12th Parliament officially ends today, Sunday, August 3, 2025, following its dissolution by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in line with Article 92(2)(a) of the Constitution.
The dissolution opens the way for political parties to begin nominating parliamentary candidates ahead of the General Election scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, 2025. According to the law, nominations for the presidency, parliamentary and councillorship positions can only proceed once Parliament is formally dissolved.
The 12th Parliament was inaugurated on November 13, 2020, and has completed its full constitutional term of five years. The Parliament had a dominant presence of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), with over 90 percent of MPs coming from the ruling party. However, over 40 legislators will not be returning, either having been eliminated during internal nomination processes or voluntarily stepping aside.
Among those not seeking re-election are Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa (Ruangwa), Bishop Josephat Gwajima (Kawe), Aida Kenani (Nkasi), Captain George Mkuchika (Newala), and Halima Mdee (Special Seats).
The 12th Parliament was notable for being addressed by two Heads of State. The late President John Magufuli inaugurated the Parliament in November 2020, while President Samia Suluhu Hassan delivered her first address on April 19, 2021, one month after assuming the presidency following President Magufuli’s death on March 17, 2021. President Samia also closed the session on June 27, 2025.
Since its inauguration, the Parliament has served for 1,724 days — equal to four years, eight months and 21 days.
Leadership within the chamber also changed during the term. The first Speaker of the 12th Parliament, Job Ndugai, resigned on January 6, 2022. He was succeeded by his then-deputy, Dr Tulia Ackson, who became the Speaker and oversaw the remainder of the term.
The 12th Parliament also recorded the passing of 10 sitting MPs, including Atashasta Nditiye (Muhambwe), Elias Kwandikwa (Ushetu), William Ole Nasha (Ngorongoro), Khatib Said Haji (Konde), and Francis Mtega (Mbarali). Others were Mussa Hassan Mussa (Amani), Ahmed Yahaya Abdulwakil (Kwahani), Dr Faustine Ndugulile (Kigamboni), Irene Ndyamkama, and Martha Jachi Umbula (both Special Seats).
President Samia issued the dissolution notice on July 30, 2025, stating that it was necessary to pave the way for the nomination process in accordance with Section 49 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Councillor Elections Act No. 1 of 2024. The Act requires Parliament to be dissolved before nominations are made.
“In line with the powers vested in me under Article 90(2)(a) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977, I, Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, hereby dissolve the Parliament effective August 3, 2025, to enable the nomination and holding of the General Election,” reads part of the dissolution notice.
Despite the dissolution, Article 90(4) of the Constitution allows the President to recall the Parliament should a state of emergency arise before the announcement of new parliamentary election results. In such a case, the previous Speaker and MPs would resume their roles until the newly elected Parliament is formally declared.
The end of the 12th Parliament formally concludes the terms of all MPs who were elected or appointed in 2020. Political parties are now expected to intensify their internal selection processes ahead of the official campaign period, which will precede the October general polls.
