By Adonis Byemelwa
Freeman
Mbowe, the Chadema national chairman (pictured), delivered a scathing critique
of Tanzania’s 2024 local government elections, describing them as neither free
nor fair but rather a blatant theft of democracy.
Speaking
at a viral press briefing in Dar es Salaam on December 10, Mbowe emphasized
that the flawed process was not just an affront to Chadema but to all
Tanzanians, whose communities now face leadership imposed without popular
consent or legitimacy.
In
his remarks, Mbowe painted a grim picture of the elections, which took place on
November 27, 2024. He accused election supervisors of barring thousands of
Chadema candidates through manipulative tactics, such as denying nomination
forms, closing offices, and disqualifying nominees without justification.
Of the total 62,191 positions available, 35,525
of Chadema’s candidates—an alarming 57% of the total—were reportedly eliminated
from contention under dubious circumstances.
For
village chairmanship alone, 6,263 of Chadema’s 10,438 candidates were
disqualified, representing a 60% disenfranchisement rate.
Mbowe
did not hold back in criticizing the violence and intimidation that marred the
elections. He condemned the reported beatings, arrests, and killings of
candidates, agents, and party members before, during, and after the election
period.
These
actions, he said, were carried out with impunity, often facilitated by the
police. Such acts, he argued, undermined not only Chadema’s efforts but also
the basic tenets of democracy and national unity.
Despite
these setbacks, Mbowe commended the resilience and courage of Chadema
candidates who participated in the elections and the citizens who spoke out
against the electoral irregularities.
He also expressed appreciation for various
stakeholders who openly criticized the flawed election process, while expressing
disappointment in those who chose to praise the tainted exercise.
According
to Mbowe, this election’s shortcomings echoed those of 2019, signaling a lack
of genuine political will from the government under CCM’s leadership to improve
electoral systems.
The
Chadema chairman made it clear that his party’s focus moving forward is
systemic reform. He reaffirmed Chadema’s commitment to advocating for a new
constitution and overhauling election laws to establish credible, independent
systems ahead of the 2025 general elections. Mbowe stressed that these reforms
are essential to ensuring fair and democratic elections in Tanzania.
Without such changes, he warned, the 2025
elections would not occur under the party’s participation, declaring, “No
Reforms, No Election.”
To
advance this agenda, Chadema plans to intensify its collaboration with various
stakeholders, including civil society organizations, religious institutions,
academic bodies, and ordinary citizens.
Mbowe
called on all Tanzanians to join forces in demanding electoral reforms,
emphasizing the critical role of collective action in driving meaningful
change.
He also urged citizens to withhold cooperation
from local leaders and officials who benefited from the fraudulent election,
framing this as a moral duty to reject illegitimacy.
In
addition to these grassroots efforts, Mbowe announced Chadema’s intention to
file a lawsuit in the High Court of Tanzania.
The
case will challenge the current electoral systems and demand reforms that
guarantee transparency, fairness, and integrity in all future elections. The
party aims to demonstrate that the existing structures are not only flawed but
actively subvert the will of the people.
Reflecting
on Chadema’s journey over the past seven years, Mbowe spoke of the trials the
party has endured, including targeted harassment and unlawful restrictions on
its political activities.
He
described this period as “a valley of the shadow of death,” during which the
ruling CCM government employed both legal and illegal means to suppress
opposition and stifle democratic progress.
He
acknowledged, however, that the party has begun to rebuild its foundation
following the restoration of its constitutional right to political activity in
2023.
Mbowe’s
remarks came against the backdrop of a broader national conversation about the
future of democracy in Tanzania.
With
Chadema standing as the country’s leading opposition party, its stance on these
issues carries significant weight. Mbowe made it clear that Chadema is not
merely opposing for the sake of opposition but is deeply invested in fostering
a democratic system that serves all Tanzanians.
The
party’s central committee, which convened to assess the elections, resolved to
continue pushing for fundamental changes in the country’s governance. Mbowe
reiterated that these reforms are non-negotiable and are the cornerstone of
Chadema’s mission to safeguard the nation’s democratic integrity.
Tanzania
looks ahead to the 2025 general elections, and Chadema’s call for electoral
reforms is expected to intensify. For Mbowe and his party, the fight for
democracy is far from over. They view the recent local government elections as
a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic change, a cause they are
determined to pursue with unwavering resolve.