Tanzania’s primary opposition party, Chadema, is gearing up for widespread protests to address concerns related to proposed electoral bills, the soaring cost of living, and delays in constitutional reforms as announced on January 24th . While police in the commercial city of Dar es Salaam have granted permission for the march, they have issued warnings against violence and incitement, according to local media reports.
The opposition party Chadema has urged the Tanzanian government to redraw the three electoral bills submitted to parliament on November 10th, 2023 and instead present a bill that makes minimum reforms to the 1977 constitution to ensure free and fair elections. Chadema announced that the approved permission for a protest was secured through a consensus with the police, emphasizing the commitment to ensuring peaceful demonstrations.
The proposed bills are not responding to the hot matters which are being raised by the citizens , especially when it comes to elections. There is a claim that even our very last elections , general elections which brought in the current government, were not fair. This is why the parliament is 90% from the ruling party, causing more revolts.
Neville Meena, Political Journalist – Tanzania
The opposition party specifically opposes three electoral bills presented in parliament last November, calling for their withdrawal on the grounds that the views of numerous stakeholders were not adequately considered. Of particular note is that these protests mark the first mass demonstration in Tanzania since President Samia Suluhu Hassan assumed power in March 2021.
When you go to the Tanzania electoral commission,NEC, our electoral body, which is responsible to supervise presidential , parliamentarian and councilors elections, has a poor constitution , it does not give a chance to opposition to win election
Neville Meena, Political Journalist – Tanzania
The aim of the demonstration is to pressure the government to consider the opinions and suggestions of various stakeholders on the bills, says opposition. Tanzania, known for maintaining relative stability in a tumultuous region, is witnessing increased political activity in anticipation of these opposition-led protests. The government amidst this turmoil are said to implement new strategies to maintain stability.