Tanzania Bars Opposition Candidate From Presidential Race

Tanzania’s electoral commission has disqualified opposition candidate Luhaga Mpina of the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT Wazalendo) from contesting against President Samia Suluhu Hassan in the October polls.

Mpina, who had collected nomination forms, was blocked from submitting them on Wednesday.

The commission claimed he “lacked qualifications,” a decision his party condemned as “embarrassing” and a threat to democracy.

ACT vowed to challenge the move in court, warning it sets a “dangerous precedent” where candidates can be arbitrarily barred.

The disqualification deepens concerns over shrinking political space in Tanzania, where opposition leader Tundu Lissu remains in detention on treason charges ahead of Thursday’s campaign kickoff.