President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been officially cleared by Tanzania’s electoral body to run in the October 29th General Election under the CCM ticket, seeking her first mandate at the ballot since taking office in 2021. Her running mate is Emmanuel Nchimbi.

The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties in Tanzania on Tuesday, August 26th nullified the nomination of Luhaga Mpina as ACT-Wazalendo’s presidential candidate for the 2025 General Election, citing violations of party procedures and rules of membership. INEC later upheld the decision, leaving the opposition party without a presidential flagbearer.

Earlier in April, main opposition party CHADEMA was also disqualified from the presidential race after refusing to sign the electoral code of conduct, part of its push for reforms. Its chairman, Tundu Lissu, has since been in jail facing treason charges.

On Thursday 28th, the High Court in Manyara overturned the Registrar’s decision that had blocked CHADEMA’s state subsidy and refused to recognize its Secretary General and five Central Committee members. The ruling restores both the party’s leadership and funding, although CHADEMA is still barred from the presidential race.

Rights groups have raised concern over the narrowing political space as critics argue that barring both ACT-Wazalendo and CHADEMA effectively leaves President Samia to face only smaller, less influential parties.

After her clearance, Samia urged CCM members to remain united, saying: “Let us work together to ensure victory for our party and for God’s permission to return to serve citizens.”