Joseph Isangura
A wave of digital activism calling for electoral reforms under the slogan “No Reforms, No Election” has prompted a stern response from Tanzanian authorities, with government officials urging citizens to ignore what they describe as a “misleading
Tanzania Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa dismissed the viral slogan, which has flooded platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, as nothing more than “nonsense.”
“What’s happening on social media is nonsense—pure nonsense,” said Msigwa. “Tanzanians should focus on building their country. You can’t run a campaign to block elections when the country has already set its official electoral calendar.”
He went on to urge Tanzanians to use their digital resources wisely. “People should recognize that misusing social media is a waste of financial resources, especially considering the cost of internet data bundles in Tanzania,” he said. “Let’s use these platforms to learn and adopt digital innovations.”
The “No Reforms, No Election” phrase has gained ground especially among supporters of the main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA). The party has long called for an overhaul of Tanzania’s electoral system, including the establishment of a truly independent National Electoral Commission (NEC) and improved political freedoms.
Opposition leaders like Tundu Lissu, who recently returned from exile, have been vocal in pushing for reforms. Earlier this year, Lissu was arrested and charged with incitement after he led a peaceful rally in Dar es Salaam echoing the “No Reforms, No Election” message. Foreign observers from Kenya and the United States who attempted to attend his court session were briefly detained, according to Reuters and AP News.
CHADEMA Vice Chairman John Heche also weighed in, saying the campaign signals growing public frustration. “When young people in every corner of the internet chant the same slogan, you should know this is no longer just politics—it’s a public cry,” Heche said in a public statement.
Meanwhile, government loyalists have launched a counter-campaign branded “Oktoba Tunatiki,” roughly translating to “In October, We Vote.” It is meant to reaffirm the state’s position that the 2025 general elections will go ahead as planned, regardless of online activism.
Also Read; Kenya Confirms 25 Chikungunya Cases in Mombasa
The online movement has not gone unnoticed. Several government-affiliated influencers and public figures have locked or limited their comment sections to avoid the overwhelming wave of protest messages. The trend has also spilled into YouTube livestreams, comment threads on presidential posts, and government announcements.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has yet to issue a direct response to the slogan but has previously called on Tanzanians to remain peaceful and to engage through formal democratic processes. In a February 2025 address, she warned that “change must be sought through dialogue, not disruption.”
The 2025 elections—scheduled for October—are seen as a major test of Tanzania’s political maturity. With rising youth population and increasing internet penetration, the government is now facing a digitally empowered generation demanding transparency, accountability, and meaningful participation.
