Joseph Isangura
Tanzania’s political stage took a dramatic turn this week after the High Court in Dodoma ruled that opposition politician Luhaga Mpina must be reinstated as a presidential candidate in the country’s upcoming general election scheduled for October 29, 2025.
The decision followed weeks of tension after the electoral commission disqualified Mpina late last month, citing internal party disputes and questions over whether his nomination process was valid. The court, however, found that his exclusion was unconstitutional and violated the right to participate in free and fair elections.
In its judgment, the court ordered the commission to resume Mpina’s registration from where it was interrupted, effectively clearing the way for his name to appear on the ballot. The ruling was also seen as a strong message that constitutional rights cannot be set aside by administrative decisions, particularly when they touch on the democratic process.
For Mpina, a former minister who recently defected from the ruling party to join the opposition, the victory was both personal and political. His move into opposition ranks had been met with skepticism, not only from government supporters but also from some within his new party. Allegations that he had not met the required period of party membership fueled the dispute that eventually landed in court.
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Beyond the legal arguments, the case highlights the growing role of Tanzania’s judiciary in safeguarding democratic participation. At a time when opposition parties have complained of unfair treatment, the High Court’s ruling gives fresh hope that political competition will not be determined solely by bureaucratic decisions.
Observers note that the decision could reshape the dynamics of the October vote. With President Samia Suluhu Hassan seeking re-election, Mpina’s reinstatement adds another significant player into the race. Analysts believe this may revive momentum among opposition supporters who have long argued that the playing field is tilted in favor of the ruling establishment.
The ruling also places the electoral commission under pressure to act quickly. With just weeks left before polls open, it must ensure Mpina’s candidacy is processed in time and reflected in the official ballot papers. The logistical challenge is immense, but so is the political significance of ensuring that voters have a wider choice at the ballot box.
Internationally, Tanzania’s election is being closely watched as part of the broader conversation on democratic governance in Africa. For many, Mpina’s reinstatement signals that institutions can play a role in protecting constitutional freedoms, even when political tensions run high.
As campaigns intensify, attention will shift to how Mpina positions himself against both the incumbent and other opposition figures. His ability to mobilize support in a short time frame will be critical, but the court’s ruling alone has already elevated him as a symbol of resilience against political exclusion.
