Despite the Minister for the President’s Office of Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) expressing optimism about Tanzania’s local government elections, allegations of irregularities, voter suppression, and violence have cast a heavy shadow over the process.
The elections, seen as a critical indicator of the nation’s political climate ahead of the 2025 general elections, have been marked by tension and controversy.
Freeman Mbowe, Chairman of the opposition party Chadema, accused the ruling party CCM and state institutions of orchestrating a fraudulent process to guarantee victory. His accusations included the tragic death of Modestus Timbisimilwa(pictured), Chadema’s candidate for Ulongoni A, Gongo Lamboto Ward, Ilala District in Dar es Salaam.
“Our candidate was shot and killed by police while defending the vote against fake ballots,” Mbowe alleged in a statement shared on social media, describing the incident as part of a broader assault on democracy. Mbowe further criticized what he called the government’s “shameless collusion” to disenfranchise voters and secure an unchallenged victory for CCM.
However, the police dismissed Mbowe’s claims. Dar es Salaam Police Commander Jumanne Muliro stated that Timbisimilwa’s death was unrelated to any violence or misconduct. “The accusations are baseless. He had a history of hypertension and fell ill at the polling station.
He was rushed to a clinic but, unfortunately, passed away,” Muliro explained. He emphasized that the election process was conducted lawfully and urged all parties to address grievances through the legal system.
The controversy surrounding Timbisimilwa’s death has become emblematic of broader concerns about the fairness of the elections. Critics have pointed to the disqualification of hundreds of opposition candidates, restrictive election laws, and logistical challenges as evidence of systemic flaws.
Khalifa Said, a political analyst, argued that requiring candidates for even local positions to be endorsed by political parties undermines grassroots democracy. “This system blocks independent voices and limits citizens’ ability to choose leaders who genuinely represent their communities,” he said.
In some areas, logistical delays added to the frustration. Voting materials arrived late in several regions, including Kilosa, disrupting the process and raising further questions about the election's management. Opposition leaders have called these delays deliberate attempts to suppress voter turnout in areas where they enjoy strong support.
The disqualification of opposition candidates has also sparked outrage. Many of these disqualifications were attributed to technicalities, such as errors in nomination forms or insufficient party endorsements.
While PO-RALG Minister Mohammed Mchengerwa intervened to reinstate some disqualified candidates, the move came late in the process and failed to assuage concerns. Tundu Lissu, a prominent opposition figure, expressed deep skepticism about the fairness of the elections. “If you ask me whether this election can be salvaged, I’ll tell you it’s too late. It needs a complete restart,” he remarked earlier this month.
Despite the challenges, opposition parties have demonstrated resilience, adapting their strategies to contest the elections. In some areas, they formed informal alliances to avoid splitting votes, a tactic reminiscent of past coalitions such as the 2015 UKAWA alliance.
These efforts have energized opposition supporters and highlighted their determination to challenge CCM dominance, even under difficult circumstances. The introduction of a "Yes" or "No" voting option for unopposed candidates has also given opposition supporters a new tool to express their dissatisfaction.
Observers have noted that these elections carry significant implications for the 2025 general elections. While some see the opposition's challenges as evidence of a shrinking democratic space, others point to their adaptability as a sign of growing resilience.
Nevertheless, the allegations of voter suppression, coupled with the government’s firm grip on the electoral process, suggest that the road to credible elections remains fraught with obstacles.
Minister Mchengerwa, while acknowledging the logistical setbacks and controversies, expressed confidence in the electoral process.
“Our country is still young in the journey of multiparty democracy. Some irregularities are expected, but the overwhelming participation of Tanzanians reflects our progress,” he said. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing any criminal irregularities through the legal system, emphasizing the importance of the rule of law.
Nevertheless, for many Tanzanians, the elections have highlighted deep frustrations with the political system. Critics argue that national leaders’ increasing involvement in local governance has eroded the legitimacy of grassroots leaders, making local government elections less meaningful to citizens.
Richard Temu, an advocacy officer with Twaweza, emphasized the importance of community-driven development. “Development should be planned by the people. Instead, projects are seen as coming from the central government, leaving local leaders with little visible impact,” he noted.
As the dust settles on these elections, the political divide between CCM and the opposition remains stark. For opposition leaders, the elections represent yet another missed opportunity for Tanzania to strengthen its democratic institutions.
For the ruling party, they are a validation of their governance and widespread support. Yet, for ordinary citizens, the elections have raised difficult questions about the future of democracy in their country.
With the 2025 general elections on the horizon, both sides will need to reckon with the lessons of this contentious process. Whether those lessons lead to a more inclusive and credible electoral process or deepen the divisions remains to be seen.
