The cleric poses rhetorical questions about the relationship between individual freedoms and national sovereignty. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
In a poignant reflection on Tanzania's electoral processes, Bishop Benson Bagonza of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) Karagwe Diocese sparked widespread social media discussion. The bishop’s remarks highlighted frustrations over recent elections and their implications for democracy in the country.
Bagonza recalled the 2019 elections, characterizing them as a competition primarily about form-filling rather than a genuine electoral process. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) emerged victorious, and opposition candidates, he remarked, seemingly returned to the proverbial classroom to learn how to complete nomination forms.
This year, however, he noted the initial hope sparked by the promise of a “real election,” a sentiment that mobilized many Tanzanians to register to vote. He humorously pointed out that even individuals projected to turn 18 in the next five years were registered.
The voter registration numbers ultimately exceeded the total number of eligible voters, an observation he called a "miracle unique to Tanzania."
Despite these efforts, the election was abruptly transformed into another “form-filling contest,” leaving CCM victorious once again. Bishop Bagonza called on Tanzanians to acknowledge this reality while reflecting on the implications for democracy.
He pointed to the wisdom of the Wanyambo people, who believe that when a person refuses to heed a warning to protect their dignity, the only option left is to join those who mock them.
In his reflections, Bagonza expressed mixed feelings about recent developments, including the consecration of a new bishop in Musoma, which he described as a moment of joy amidst broader political frustrations.
He also referenced a sermon by Professor Palamagamba Kabudi, who lauded the government’s achievements, particularly in energy infrastructure projects like the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam.
While thanking the professor for his insights, the bishop noted the critical need for Tanzania to also build a metaphorical “dam of democracy” to safeguard such achievements. Without democracy, he warned, those undermining other national projects might eventually compromise the energy sector as well.
The bishop posed rhetorical questions about the relationship between individual freedoms and national sovereignty. Can a country truly be free if its people are not free? Similarly, can a population be genuinely free within a nation that lacks independence?
He recounted an incident from his school days when he was expelled for a year after providing a provocative answer to a class question about Africa's wealth and its paradoxical poverty. Bagonza used this memory to underline the persistent contradictions in Tanzania’s governance and socio-political landscape.
In his heartfelt reflection, the bishop extended his condolences to families affected by various injustices, including those impacted by the Kariakoo incidents and political turmoil. He particularly empathized with citizens who enthusiastically participated in elections, only to find themselves entangled in a flawed process.
Bagonza apologized to those he had encouraged to register to vote, acknowledging that he, too, had been misled. He vowed not to repeat the mistake.
Bishop Bagonza offered a spiritual perspective, lamenting how both the perpetrators and guardians of electoral malpractices often pray for divine support in their conflicting endeavors. He reminded his audience that, ultimately, God is never mocked.
Despite the political and social pressures, he reaffirmed his love for Tanzania, emphasizing that no amount of coercion could compel him to harbor resentment for his country.
Meanwhile, opposition parties reported widespread disqualification of their candidates in the upcoming local government elections. ACT-Wazalendo revealed that approximately 60% of their candidates had been disqualified for reasons they described as lacking legal or procedural justification.
For instance, in Tunduru North, out of 92 ACT-Wazalendo candidates, only 23 were approved. Similar cases were reported in Kigoma Town, where 63 candidates were disqualified, leaving only five approved. In Tunduru South, a region regarded as a stronghold for ACT-Wazalendo, only 13 out of 47 candidates were cleared to contest.
The opposition alleged that disqualifications were deliberately targeted at strong candidates in regions where they were likely to win. Esther Thomas, ACT-Wazalendo’s Deputy Secretary-General for Tanzania Mainland, claimed that ruling party operatives had “mapped” areas of vulnerability and strategically disqualified opposition candidates.
Other disqualifications were reportedly based on arbitrary or dubious criteria, such as candidates being deemed ineligible because they were self-sponsored or had listed "entrepreneurship" as their primary occupation. This reasoning prompted questions about why the government had issued entrepreneurship identity cards if the profession was not considered legitimate.
Chadema also reported cases of disqualifications outside the legally stipulated time, with some candidates informed late at night. The party’s Communications Director, Jon Mrema, alleged that some candidates were disqualified on spurious grounds, including claims that Chadema was not a registered party.
In response to these grievances, the Minister of State in the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government, Mohamed Mchengerwa, urged stakeholders to address their concerns through legal channels.
He stated that the electoral framework provided clear mechanisms for appeals and reviews. Mchengerwa later announced that out of 16,309 appeals submitted by candidates, 5,589 had been approved, including those submitted after a two-day extension.
He explained that some disqualifications had been due to issues like lack of citizenship, failure to register in local voter registries, or being under the minimum age requirement of 21.
The minister further revealed that opposition parties had fielded candidates for only 38.51% of the available positions.
For example, in the race for village chairpersons, opposition candidates competed in 49.35% of the available slots, while CCM fielded candidates in all positions.
Mchengerwa dismissed allegations of widespread irregularities, asserting that misconduct claims were often exaggerated to cause panic.
The tension between the promise of democratic progress and the reality of Tanzania’s political landscape remains a pressing issue.
Bishop Bagonza’s reflections offer a poignant glimpse into the frustrations and aspirations of many Tanzanians, presenting a sobering critique of the nation’s electoral challenges while holding onto hope for meaningful change.
