Joseph Isangura
Tundu Lissu, the newly elected National Chairman of Chadema, has raised serious concerns about the credibility of this year’s general election, citing ongoing issues with past elections.
In his first public address since taking on the leadership role, Lissu criticized the 2019 Local Government elections, the 2020 General Election, and the 2024 elections, claiming that all were deeply flawed. He pointed to the arbitrary disqualification of opposition candidates, the appointment of leaders without elections, and numerous instances of unopposed wins and disqualifications that skewed results in favor of the ruling party.
“When we say ‘no reform, no election,’ we’re not talking about boycotting the election—we’re making it clear that if the necessary electoral changes aren’t put in place, we will do everything we can to prevent this year’s election from happening,” Lissu stated during his address on February 12, 2025.
He further emphasized that the Chadema party’s position was not just his personal view, but the official stance of the opposition party. “We will take this issue to the people of Tanzania, to the international community, and to the world. If the ruling party refuses to make necessary reforms for a free and fair election, then we’ll be saying this election cannot take place at all,” Lissu explained.
In a broader appeal, Lissu also urged religious leaders to step up and get more involved in the country’s political landscape. “Religious leaders are also Tanzanians. If the country struggles, they will struggle too.
Also Read; Leaders Urged to Collaborate on
DRC Crisis
They can’t just stay silent; they need to be active participants in shaping the future of the nation. Politics is not just about policies—it’s about the lives of the people,” he said.
Lissu’s remarks come ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 general election, with mounting concerns over the fairness and transparency of the electoral process. His call for reform and the active involvement of religious leaders signals a pivotal moment in Tanzania’s political scene, as both the opposition and the public demand a free and fair electoral environment.
The party’s commitment to pushing for reform highlights the ongoing tensions and desire for change in a political landscape where many feel that democratic processes have been compromised in the past.
