With no heavyweight opposition candidates cleared to compete in Wednesday's election, many Tanzanians feel the vote is less like a contest and more like a coronation for President Samia Suluhu Hassan, as she faces her first presidential election.
The 65-year-old became the East African nation's first female head of state after the death in 2021 of sitting President John Magufuli. He was admired on one hand for his no-nonsense drive to stamp out corruption but criticized on the other for his authoritarian clampdown on dissent and controversial attitude towards the Covid pandemic.
President Samia, who was vice-president, seemed like a breath of fresh air - and with her warmer and friendlier style, she initiated reforms that marked a departure from her predecessor's policies.
Her four Rs policy - reconciliation, resilience, reform and rebuilding - reopened Tanzania to foreign investors, restoring donor relations and mollifying the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. According to political analyst Mohammed Issa, She made a difference; the lost relationship between Tanzania and international organizations such as the World Bank was restored.\
However, the political space has shrunk drastically over the past two years, with reports of government critics facing ruthless targeting, including abductions and killings. Samia came in with a conciliatory tone, but now she has become bold and makes tough decisions that many did not expect from her, said Mr. Issa.
Research from Freedom House indicates that Tanzania has shifted from being partly free in 2020 to not free by last year, reflecting growing concerns regarding human rights and governance.
While her party, the CCM, has won every election since the reintroduction of multi-party democracy in 1992, the current electoral landscape lacks fierce competition as the main opposition party, Chadema, is barred from the election. Tundu Lissu, the party leader, is on trial for treason and his deputy was arrested last week.
This leads some Tanzanians like Godfrey Lusana to express disillusionment: We do not have an election without a strong opposition. The electoral system is not independent. We already know who will win. I can't waste time to vote.\
Unlike the mainland, Zanzibar is experiencing a vibrant electoral campaign, with competitive races and lively participation among residents, highlighting a contrast in the political dynamics within the country.
While many women perceive President Samia as a stabilizing force, questions about her leadership effectiveness and commitment to addressing unemployment and social issues persist. Young voters, who make up a significant portion of the electorate, express frustration over the lack of responsiveness to pressing concerns, including security and corruption.
The ruling party's control and opposition exclusion undermine electoral credibility, raising concerns for the future of Tanzania's democracy.
