The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has dismissed the long-awaited judgment challenging the conduct of Tanzania’s 2020 general elections.

In its determination, the court finds the petition lacks legal merit and evidence, thus rendering it null and void. The court has also ordered the petitioners to bear their own costs.

The case was first filed in November 2020 by the former vice-president of Zanzibar and founder of the opposition Civic United Front (CUF), Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad. But after his death in February 2021, the case continued under Ado Shaibu, the Secretary General of the opposition party ACT Wazalendo, together with other Tanzanian applicants.

The applicants argue that several actions during the 2020 elections in which the late president John Pombe Magufuli won with a landslide, violated the rights of candidates and voters. Among the issues raised in the case are the arrest of opposition candidates, suspension of campaign activities, disqualification of candidates, and restrictions placed on independent media outlets. The applicants also cite allegations of vote buying, irregular vote counting and disruptions to telecommunications services, including internet and social media platforms, during the election period.

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