MWE Correspondent
A new political storm is brewing in Tanzania after opposition party ACT-Wazalendo declared it will take the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court, accusing it of miscalculating votes in a way that unfairly denied the party its rightful share of special-seat Members of Parliament.
The controversy follows the announcement made by INEC on November 7, 2025, confirming the appointment of 115 out of the required 116 special-seat MPs. According to the commission, the allocation was carried out in line with Article 66(1)(b) and Article 78(1) of the 1977 Constitution of Tanzania, as well as Section 112 of the 2024 Elections Act governing the election of the President, Members of Parliament, and Councillors.
However, the decision immediately sparked outrage within ACT-Wazalendo. The party argues that its internal data shows it garnered over 2.2 million votes nationwide, representing about six percent of the total votes cast, which it says should have earned it eight special-seat positions in Parliament. Party leader Dorothy Semu, addressing journalists at the ACT-Wazalendo headquarters in Magomeni, Dar es Salaam, on November 9, said the commission’s figures do not reflect the true outcome of the October 29 general election.
“Our figures clearly show that ACT-Wazalendo achieved more than the threshold required for special seats. The INEC’s computation deprived us of our legitimate representation,” said Semu, pledging to challenge the results through legal means.
Also Read; Ten Wanted as Violence Rocks Multiple Tanzanian Cities
In its defence, INEC maintained that ACT-Wazalendo did not meet the statutory threshold needed to qualify for any special seats. According to the commission, only two parties achieved that benchmark Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), which secured 113 seats, and CHAUMMA, which obtained two.
The dispute sheds light on the recurring debate over electoral transparency in Tanzania’s political system. Election observers, including the African Union Election Observation Mission, have previously urged authorities to enhance fairness and accountability in vote-tallying processes, citing persistent gaps in verification mechanisms and limited access to electoral data.
Analysts believe this court case could test the independence of Tanzania’s judiciary and set an important precedent for how electoral disputes are handled in the country. It also comes at a time when public trust in electoral institutions remains fragile following years of contested polls and allegations of manipulation.
The 2025 Tanzanian general election featured 18 political parties, with voter turnout estimated at around 60 percent. While CCM continues to dominate Parliament, ACT-Wazalendo’s challenge is expected to reignite conversations about fair political representation and the role of opposition voices in a democratic system.
