Dar es Salaam. The High Court of Tanzania is set to deliver a crucial judgment this week in a case that could have significant implications for the country’s upcoming presidential election.
The court will rule on a petition filed by the opposition party ACT Wazalendo and its presidential hopeful, Luhaga Mpina, challenging his recent disqualification from the October 29, 2025, general election.
The case was brought before the Dodoma High Court as an urgent matter after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) barred Mpina from contesting the presidency on August 27, 2025.
The disqualification followed a ruling by the Registrar of Political Parties, which found that ACT Wazalendo had violated its own internal rules in nominating Mpina.
The complaint, filed by a party member, Monalisa Joseph Ndala, alleged that Mpina’s nomination occurred after the party’s deadline and that he had not been a member for the required minimum of seven months.
Mpina, a former government minister and a vocal critic of the current administration, had only recently defected from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party on August 6, 2025, just weeks before his nomination.
ACT Wazalendo has decried the disqualification as politically motivated and a tactic to clear the path for incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The party argues that the move is an attempt to stifle political competition and has vowed to fight the decision in court.
The disqualification of Mpina was the latest in a series of events that have raised concerns about the fairness of the upcoming election. In April, the main opposition party, CHADEMA, was also disqualified from the presidential race.
The party’s leader, Tundu Lissu, is currently detained and facing treason charges. These developments have led to accusations that the ruling CCM is using state institutions to eliminate any meaningful opposition and ensure a victory for President Samia, a charge both of them strongly deny.
President Samia came to power in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli. This election is her first time seeking a popular mandate. While she has been credited with a more open and conciliatory approach than her predecessor, critics argue that her government has continued to suppress dissent and limit political freedoms.
READ MORE: CCM Dissident Luhaga Mpina Joins ACT-Wazalendo After Exclusion in Party Primaries
The disqualification of two major opposition candidates has only intensified these concerns.
Observers of Tanzania’s development are closely monitoring the situation in the country. The outcome of the court case will be seen as a significant indicator of the country’s commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law.
A decision in favour of Mpina and ACT Wazalendo could restore a degree of competition to the presidential race. However, if the court upholds the disqualification, it will likely be viewed as a further consolidation of power by the ruling party and a blow to Tanzania’s democratic aspirations.
With the election just weeks away, the court’s ruling will have a direct impact on the country’s political landscape. All eyes are on Dodoma as the nation awaits a decision that will shape the October 29 election.
