Tanzania’s national electoral commission on Saturday September 13, 2024 accepted the nomination papers of Luhaga Mpina, a senior politician from the second largest opposition party, enabling him to contest next month’s presidential election.

This was after a high court ruling overturned a previous decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that had prevented Mpina from lodging his electoral nomination papers.

His disqualification meant incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has been in office since March 2021, would potentially face opposition only from smaller parties in the October 29 election.

Mpina, who is the candidate for the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo) party, successfully challenged the decision to disqualify him.

Tanzania’s Registrar of Political Parties had supported Mpina’s disqualification from the presidential elections, citing complaints that his party had failed to comply with nomination procedures.

Speaking after lodging his nomination papers, Mpina said political parties were constitutionally guaranteed to operate in the country.

“Opposition politicians and opposition parties are not treasonous and criminals. There is no need to use authorities to punish political parties,” Mpina said during a press briefing in Dar es Salaam.

Meanwhile, opposition parties face an uphill battle trying to dislodge President Samia Suluhu and her ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, amid a government crackdown on rivals.

Leading opposition party CHADEMA was disqualified in April from contesting the election after failing to sign the electoral code of conduct as part of its call for reforms.

Party chairperson Tundu Lissu was jailed after being charged with treason amid criticism of Suluhu’s human rights record.

The President denied the accusations and said her government was committed to protecting human rights.