Tanzania is set for a contentious general election on October 29, 2025, as the official campaign period begins with incumbent president Samia Suluhu Hassan cleared to seek re-election while the country's main opposition parties have been disqualified from the race.

The electoral authority has given president Hassan of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party the green light to run. At her campaign launch, she introduced her running mate, Emmanuel Nchimbi, and the party's parliamentary candidates. In a constitutional step preceding the polls, president Hassan dissolved parliament on August 3, 2025.

However, the political landscape is marked by the exclusion of key challengers. The main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), has been barred from participating. According to reports, the disqualification followed the party's refusal to sign a mandatory electoral conduct document amid their persistent calls for significant electoral reforms. The party's leader, Tundu Lissu, remains in custody after being charged with treason earlier in the year for advocating these reforms.

Similarly, the presidential candidate for the second-largest opposition party, ACT Wazalendo, has been blocked from the polls. The electoral commission disqualified Luhaga Mpina, reversing an earlier decision from September 13 that had approved his candidacy. This move effectively removes another significant rival to the incumbent.

Despite the political tensions, public engagement appears high. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported that over 37.6 million Tanzanians have registered to vote, a 26.55% increase from the 2020 elections. The country is also demonstrating fiscal independence by fully funding the election with its own domestic resources for the second consecutive time, reducing reliance on foreign donors.

The pre-election period has not been without controversy and concern. Human rights issues have surfaced, including reports of attacks on religious figures critical of the government. In one noted incident, Charles Kitima, the secretary general of the Catholic Church Council, was assaulted. In another, a church owned by a ruling party lawmaker was deregistered following allegations of human rights violations against the government.

In response to the evolving situation, the African Union conducted a pre-election assessment mission in June 2025. The mission focused on stakeholder preparedness, the political environment, and the encouragement of women's participation, stating its goal was to support the further consolidation of democracy in Tanzania as the nation heads toward the October vote. The official campaign period will run until October 28.