Tanzania Makes History: Prisoners to Vote for the First Time in 2025 Elections

Inmates at Zonderwater Correctional Centre queue to register for South Africa's elections. Photo: Courtesy

By Our Correspondent

In a landmark move, the Tanzanian government has established 140 voting stations nationwide, including on the mainland and islands, to enable eligible prisoners to vote in the 2025 presidential, parliamentary, and council elections. This initiative marks the first time in Tanzania’s history that prisoners will have the opportunity to participate in the electoral process.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, speaking at the launch of the permanent voter registration exercise in Kigoma on July 21, 2024, emphasized the importance of this development. He called on the Prison Service to set up the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the Independent National Electoral Commission (NEC) in registering prisoners serving sentences of less than six months, as well as detainees.

“This opportunity, enabled by the law passed by the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania, allows prisoners to vote for their chosen leaders. This is the first time in our country’s history that prisoners and detainees are given the chance to vote while in prison,” Majaliwa stated.

This policy shift follows the NEC’s announcement that prisoners serving sentences of less than six months will be included in the permanent voter register. Various stakeholders have since advocated for further amendments to allow all prisoners to vote, arguing that imprisonment should not strip individuals of their voting rights, as they are still governed by elected leaders.

Tanzania’s move to enfranchise prisoners aligns with practices in several other African countries. For instance, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana have long allowed prisoners to vote, recognizing the importance of upholding democratic rights irrespective of incarceration. Tanzania, however, has lagged in this regard, primarily due to legal and logistical challenges and concerns over prison security and administration.

Majaliwa also urged all election stakeholders, including the police force and immigration department, to visit voter registration centres to ensure that those ineligible to vote, particularly non-citizens, are identified and excluded from the voter rolls. This vigilance aims to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.

The 2022 Population and Housing Census indicates that 5,586,433 new voters will be registered in the Permanent Voter Register. These include individuals who have turned 18 since the last general election in 2020 and those who will reach voting age by the 2025 election. Additionally, approximately 4,369,531 voters are expected to update their information.

“This is not a small number for the voter register update exercise. Therefore, I urge every registered voter needing to update their information not to hesitate to visit the registration centers. The NEC has planned to ensure all citizens are reached, even in the remotest areas,” Majaliwa emphasized.

He further encouraged all voters to update their details or transfer their registration as needed, highlighting the NEC's preparedness to reach all citizens, ensuring comprehensive voter registration and participation.

This groundbreaking decision reflects a significant step towards inclusive democracy in Tanzania, reinforcing the principle that every citizen’s voice matters, regardless of their circumstances.