On the 12th of February, 2025 the new Chairman of the main opposition party CHADEMA, Tundu Lissu, made his first official televised speech to the nation, issuing a bold clarion call for all his party members, supporters, and Tanzanians at large to rally behind CHADEMA’s push for urgently needed electoral and constitutional reforms, encapsulated in the message “No Reforms, No Elections.”
Lissu clarified that this agenda did not necessarily mean a total boycott of the forthcoming election but rather a strategic step towards the Gandhian method of non-violent resistance to the government’s business as usual rigid attitude towards fundamental electoral reforms in the country.
In his speech, Lissu called for reforms that would ensure increased checks and balances on presidential powers, which currently inhibit the independence of other organs of the state. He traced the country’s electoral history from British colonial rule in the 1950s to the first multiparty elections in 1995, highlighting the persistent systemic weaknesses that have plagued Tanzania’s democratic process.
He reminded the nation of the country’s recent history of irregularities during general elections and civil polls, which, he argued, amount to nothing more than the disenfranchisement of citizens’ constitutional right to elect their leaders without state interference.
A key theme of Lissu’s speech was the overwhelming power of the presidency, which has effectively weakened other state institutions, including the judiciary and legislature. Successive governments under CCM have consolidated power in the executive branch, making it nearly impossible for opposition parties to operate on an equal footing.
According to Lissu, the so-called Independent National Electoral commissions remain under the influence of the ruling party, rendering elections a predetermined exercise rather than a true democratic contest.
Lissu underscored that the ruling CCM government has long used regular elections as a mere strategy to rubber stamp and legitimize its continued staying in power without a true democratic mandate from the people.
Actually this pattern of electoral manipulation is not unique to Tanzania but is a hallmark of entrenched ruling parties across many post-colonial African states and beyond, where incumbents exploit state resources, security apparatuses, and electoral commissions to maintain an uneven playing field. By doing so, these governments use the façade of democracy to project legitimacy while systematically undermining genuine political competition.
It’s true that without comprehensive electoral reforms, the forthcoming elections would likely be another exercise in legitimizing a predetermined outcome rather than a reflection of the will of the people.
In addition to electoral fraud, Lissu also highlighted the curtailing of media freedom and the lack of independent coverage of opposition party activities. The government’s tight grip on media outlets and restrictive laws on press freedom have made it difficult for opposition parties to effectively communicate their messages to the public.
Lissu’s claims are supported by various reports from election observers who, in 2020, noted the unequal coverage of election campaigns between the ruling party and the opposition. Even public broadcasters largely favored the ruling party over the opposition. This systematic suppression of independent journalism further skews the political landscape in favor of CCM.
Lissu further emphasized the crucial role that religious leaders and civil society must play in advocating for electoral and constitutional reforms. Religious institutions have historically been influential voices in Tanzania’s political landscape, and Lissu called on them to take a proactive stance in ensuring a free and fair electoral process. He urged faith leaders to use their platforms to push for justice, accountability, and the protection of democratic rights, rather than remaining silent observers in the face of blatant electoral malpractice.
In my view Lissu’s speech can be viewed as a political blueprint for CHADEMA’s reforms agenda, setting the stage for a broader national conversation on governance, rule of law, and democratic accountability in the lead-up to this year’s general elections in November.
His call for a more transparent and accountable electoral system challenges not just the Tanzanian political establishment but also serves as a litmus test for the resilience of opposition movements in authoritarian-leaning democracies. The true challenge, however, lies in whether opposition parties, civil society, and the broader public can translate these calls for reform into sustained political action that pressures the government into making meaningful changes before the elections.John Kitoka is an independent research consultant and writer on socio-economic and political affairs based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He’s available at kitoka2000@gmail.com. The opinions expressed here are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Chanzo. If you are interested in publishing in this space, please contact our editors at editor@thechanzo.com.
