Zimbabwe News Update
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The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has declared Tanzania’s 2025 general election as falling short of regional democratic standards, describing it as marred by intimidation, censorship, and lack of transparency. This was revealed in SADC’s preliminary Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) report released this week.The report, led by Right Honourable Richard Msowoya, former Speaker of Parliament in Malawi, detailed widespread irregularities, including abductions of opposition figures, suppression of media, and restrictions on observers.
It concluded that Tanzanians were denied the opportunity to freely express their democratic will.According to SEOM, the political environment during the election was “uneven and intimidating.” Opposition members, including Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, were reportedly abducted or arrested in the lead-up to the vote. The mission said these incidents created fear and discouraged participation among opposition supporters.The report also criticised Tanzania’s constitutional restrictions on electoral justice. Article 41(7) of the Constitution prevents courts from challenging presidential election results, while Article 74(12) bars judicial review of the Electoral Commission’s actions.
SADC said these provisions undermine transparency and accountability, directly contradicting its own democratic principles and guidelines.Concerns were also raised about the independence of the National Electoral Commission. The report noted that commissioners are appointed by the President, who also serves as the ruling party chairperson and was a candidate in the same election. “This arrangement raises serious doubts about the Commission’s impartiality,” SEOM said in its findings.The mission reported that the internet was shut down on election day, preventing the transmission of information and obstructing observers from monitoring the process.
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