Treason and the exclusion of major opposition parties have drawn attention before the October poll in Tanzania.
Tanzania’s election commission has banned Chadema, the main opposition, from chaosing presidential and parliamentary elections, which are scheduled to be held later this year.
The Independent National Election Commission (INEC) announced its decision on Saturday, saying the parties had not signed a mandatory code of conduct agreement by the required deadline for a poll expected to take place in October.
“Participants who do not sign the Code of Conduct will not participate in the general election,” said Ramadani Kailima, the committee’s election director, adding that the disqualification will extend to all by-elections until 2030.
There was no immediate response from Chadema.
The announcement comes days after Chadema leader Tundu Lissu was charged with treason and accused of instigating the rebellion and trying to stop the election from moving forward.
Prosecutors argued that he was not permitted to enter the plea, but he urged the public to take action against the vote. The claim may be a death penalty.
Former presidential candidate Risu was a critic of the voices of the governing rule of Chama Cha Masiduji (CCM) Party and its leader, President Samia Slu Hassan, who is seeking a second term.
Chadema had already warned that unless meaningful election reforms were introduced, they would boycott the vote.
Earlier on Saturday, the party confirmed it would not attend the election law signing ceremony and described the move as part of a broader campaign to drive changes in how elections are held.
Chadema’s disqualification and treason against its leaders are expected to raise new questions about the state of democracy in East African countries.
Human rights groups and opposition groups accused the government of cracking down on dissent, citing patterns of acquiring and killing political activists of unknown reasons.
President Hassan’s government has denies any role in these alleged abuse and claims it is committed to maintaining human rights. The CCM repeatedly rejected accusations of undermining the opposition and manipulating the election process.
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