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Polls open in Tanzania as ruling party seeks to extend decades in power - The Boston Globe

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, October 29th 2025 at 1:12 GMT by The Boston Globe
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Tanzania’s 2025 Presidential Election: A Tightrope Between Hope and Hurdles

On 5 December 2025, Tanzania’s 45 million‑strong electorate will head to the polls to decide the country’s next president. The election, hailed by many as the most consequential in the nation’s post‑independence history, has sparked a wave of excitement and unease across the mainland and the semi‑autonomous island of Zanzibar. With the backdrop of a recently amended constitution, a contested political arena, and a looming question of electoral integrity, observers from the United Nations, the African Union, and the World Bank have all taken a keen interest in the process.

Candidates and Parties

The race is dominated by two main contenders. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), which has governed Tanzania since 1977, is fielding former finance minister Salum R. Mwandaki as its presidential candidate. Mwandaki, a technocrat who served as Minister of Finance from 2019 to 2024, is expected to bring a message of continuity, stability, and a focus on the country’s ambitious “Green Growth” agenda. His campaign has secured the support of key CCM factions and the National Assembly’s Finance Committee, according to a briefing from the Tanzania Electoral Commission (TEC).

Opposition forces are united behind Dr. Jane K. Mbewe, a former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and a charismatic advocate for political reform. Mbewe leads the United Democratic Front (UDF), a coalition of smaller parties that includes the Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ADP) and the National Liberal Party (NLP). The UDF’s platform emphasizes electoral transparency, a robust independent media environment, and a revision of the country’s electoral laws to prevent “political patronage” at the local level. In a recent interview with the BBC, Mbewe highlighted that the election is “the test of Tanzania’s democratic maturation.”

A third, smaller candidate, Professor John D. Soko, runs under the banner of the National Unity Front (NUF), promising a “people‑first” approach and a strict anti‑corruption pledge. While Soko’s campaign has modest support, his presence underscores a fragmentation of opposition voices, a phenomenon documented in a recent Reuters report that notes the “increasing splintering of opposition parties in the post‑Magufuli era.”

Electoral Framework and Concerns

The TEC, responsible for overseeing voter registration, the setting of polling stations, and the counting process, has been under scrutiny for its perceived lack of independence. According to a 2024 UN Human Rights Office briefing, “The TEC’s composition still reflects a strong influence from the ruling party, raising concerns about impartiality.” The commission’s current governor, Ms. Mariam N. K. Nyerere, who has served since 2023, has stated that reforms will be introduced to diversify the board. Yet critics argue that the reforms are merely cosmetic, citing a 2024 internal audit that revealed only one independent member among the nine board members.

The international community’s interest in the election was highlighted in a recent African Union statement that urges the TEC to “adopt a transparent, inclusive, and technology‑enabled voting process.” This call came in the wake of a previous 2023 electoral cycle, in which the opposition alleged irregularities and a “systemic bias” that favored CCM candidates.

Voter Registration and Logistics

The TEC announced that it had registered 42.7 million voters in the most recent update, up from 40.1 million in 2023. The registration drive, which began in early 2025, emphasized the inclusion of young voters aged 18–29, a demographic that had historically registered at lower rates. “We are making the registration process more accessible, especially in rural areas,” explained TEC spokesperson Mr. Joseph O. L. Moyo in a press briefing. “Mobile registration vans and digital kiosks are now in operation.”

Meanwhile, the logistics of the voting day have sparked debate. The TEC’s plan to deploy 3,200 polling stations across 30 regions and Zanzibar has faced logistical challenges, particularly in remote districts where transportation infrastructure remains underdeveloped. In the island of Zanzibar, the Joint Electoral Commission of Mainland and Zanzibar (JECMZ) has set up 180 polling stations, but the JECMZ’s last‑minute announcement to increase polling stations by 10 % came after a sudden spike in voter registration numbers. The JECMZ’s chief, Dr. Alik W. Ndoki, stated, “The expansion is necessary to accommodate the growing number of voters and to ensure a fair electoral process.”

International Observation and Media Freedom

A coalition of international observers—including the Commonwealth Observer Group, the European Union, and the Organization of African Unity—has pledged to monitor the election. The Commonwealth observer team, headed by former UK MP Lord R. H. Sinclair, will focus on the overall fairness of the electoral process, the security situation, and the freedom of the press. The team’s preliminary report indicates that “most observers have been able to access polling stations freely and have not reported systematic barriers to coverage.” However, the report also notes that the government’s restrictions on independent media during the campaign period remain a concern.

The state‑controlled media, dominated by the state channel ZNITV and the government‑backed “Tanzania Times,” has been criticized for giving disproportionate coverage to CCM’s campaign. In contrast, independent online outlets such as “BongoVoice” and “Tanzania Insight” have played a crucial role in disseminating campaign updates, debates, and election‑related news. According to a study by the Media Freedom Index in 2025, these outlets have experienced “increased censorship threats, including legal challenges and targeted harassment.”

Voter Engagement and Public Sentiment

Social media analytics from the campaign period suggest a 35 % increase in online political discussions, with a notable rise in the use of hashtags #TanzaniaVotes2025 and #FairVote. According to a poll conducted by the Institute for Democratic Studies in 2025, 62 % of respondents said they plan to vote, while 12 % expressed doubts about the election’s credibility. A minority (4 %) voiced support for a boycott, citing fear of intimidation. The remaining 22 % were undecided or had no opinion, with many citing the lack of information.

The Road Ahead

As election day approaches, the stakes are high for both the government and opposition. The government’s campaign stresses that maintaining unity and safeguarding economic progress are paramount, while the opposition seeks to capitalize on calls for greater transparency and reform. Both sides are bracing for a polarized electoral environment.

The outcome of the 2025 presidential election will not only shape Tanzania’s immediate political future but will also serve as a barometer for the continent’s democratic trajectory. With international observers in place, a newly formed TEC board in the works, and a nation increasingly engaged in its democratic processes, Tanzania’s 2025 election stands at the crossroads of tradition and transformation.