Dar es Salaam – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday suspended the parliamentary election for the Siha constituency in the Kilimanjaro region following the death of Civic United Front (CUF) candidate, Daud Wilbard Ntuyehabi.
This comes just days after a similar suspension was enacted for the Fuoni constituency in Zanzibar following the passing of its ruling party candidate.
The suspension for Siha was announced on October 8, 2025, after the CUF party formally notified the commission of Ntuyehabi’s death.
The candidate was killed on the evening of October 7 in a mob attack, which the Tanzania Police Force in the Kilimanjaro region confirmed occurred after he allegedly stabbed a man during a dispute at a local liquor store.
According to police reports, Ntuyehabi was arguing with another man, Hamad Issah Mohamed, over an unpaid debt when a third individual, Abdul Issah Mohamed, attempted to mediate.
READ MORE: Death of CCM Candidate Forces Postponement of Fuoni Parliamentary Election
“It is alleged that the cause of the stabbing of Abdul Issah, who is still receiving treatment at the hospital, was his attempt to intervene in a quarrel,” a police statement read, describing the victim’s injuries as severe, with his intestines exposed.
Following the stabbing, a mob took the law into their own hands, assaulting Ntuyehabi and causing his death. Regional police have since arrested eight suspects in connection with the mob attack and have strongly condemned acts of vigilante justice, urging citizens to allow the law to take its course.
In its announcement, INEC cited Section 71(1) of the 2024 elections law, which mandates a halt to the process upon the death of a candidate. The commission stated that a new election timetable for Siha will be published in the Government Gazette.
All other previously nominated candidates will remain in the race unless they formally withdraw. However, all campaign activities in the constituency are prohibited until the CUF selects a new candidate and the new timetable is issued.
The suspension in Siha mirrors events in Zanzibar from the previous month, where the parliamentary election for the Fuoni constituency was suspended on September 25 following the death of Abass Ali Mwinyi.
Mwinyi, the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) flagbearer and brother of Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi, passed away in a hospital from natural causes.
