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As Tanzania heads toward its October 2025 elections, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party is set for another landslide victory amid growing concerns over democratic decline. With opposition parties Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo disqualified, President Samia Suluhu Hassan faces virtually no competition, extending CCM’s six-decade rule. Despite promises of reform and a new electoral framework, critics say the process remains tightly controlled by the executive. Low voter enthusiasm and shrinking turnout reflect the public’s deep disillusionment. Meanwhile, Tanzania’s Freedom House rating has fallen to “Not Free,” signaling increased repression and curtailed civil liberties. With democracy fading, many observers see the polls as mere formalities cementing CCM’s unbroken grip on power.
The Conversation