Opposition presidential candidate Luhaga Joelson Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo has formally objected to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s candidacy, arguing that her endorsement by Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) violated the party’s constitution and electoral laws.
In a petition submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on September 14, 2025, Mpina claims that Samia was nominated outside the constitutional and procedural framework of her party.
He contends that key steps required by CCM’s rules, including vetting by the Central Committee and endorsement by the National Executive Committee, were skipped.
Mpina further alleges that Samia’s nomination during CCM’s National Congress on January 19, 2025, did not follow democratic competition.
According to him, no timetable was issued, no forms were provided, and members were denied the opportunity to express interest.
“The process was closed, autocratic, and denied party members their constitutional right to elect and be elected,” Mpina wrote.
He also raises conflict-of-interest concerns, pointing out that Samia, as CCM chairperson, presided over the Congress that approved her candidacy.
“A person with direct interest cannot chair proceedings that endorse their own candidacy. This undermines democratic integrity,” he argued.
The objection cites Article 105(7)(b) and 103(12)(b) of CCM’s constitution, which require structured nomination procedures, and Section 7(2) of the party’s 2022 regulations mandating scrutiny by the Security and Ethics Committee. Mpina maintains these provisions were ignored, making the nomination unlawful.
The ACT-Wazalendo candidate also highlights broader legal violations.
He says the flawed process contravenes the Political Parties Act, which requires parties to operate in line with their constitutions, and the national constitution, which demands proper sponsorship for presidential candidates.
By his interpretation, Samia does not meet Article 39(1)(c) of the Tanzanian Constitution and Section 43 of the 2024 Presidential, Parliamentary and Councillors’ Elections Act.
Mpina’s submission includes detailed grounds, argueing that CCM’s top organs never presented Samia’s name for consideration as required.
He also says the absence of internal competition undermined democratic legitimacy.
Again, he points to the conflict of interest in Samia presiding over her own approval. Fourth, he insists that violating party rules equates to breaching national electoral law.
The petition concludes that Samia’s candidacy is invalid because she was never lawfully endorsed by her party.
“A valid candidate must be nominated through constitutional and lawful processes. That did not happen in this case,” Mpina said in a letter.
The objection places INEC at the centre of a politically sensitive decision.
The commission must now assess whether the claims warrant disqualification of the CCM flagbearer, a scenario that could significantly reshape the 2025 presidential race.
For CCM, the challenge tests the transparency and legality of its internal processes. For the opposition, it signals a strategy to question the legitimacy of the ruling party’s candidate even before the campaigns advance.
The commission has yet to issue a ruling. Until then, Samia’s candidacy remains under legal and political scrutiny.