Tanzania is voting in an election set to keep the same party in power for 7 decades

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) – Tanzania’s ruling Party has been in power for 64 years, most of that time without significant opposition.

That seems to have been extended when Tanzanians went to the polls on Wednesday in an election widely expected to be won by President Samia Sudu, after the death of his predecessor.

Although Tanzania is a democratic republic, a version of one party – Cham Cha Cha Mapnduzi, or the revolutionary party – has been in power since the country’s independence from Britain in 1961.

The country, with an annual income of $ 1,200, is a category in the region where liberal parties have been out of fashion and young people fill the formed opposition groups that seek political change.

Authorities in the country of 68 million people have cracked down on opposition leaders, civil society groups, journalists and others in Amnesty International.

President Tassan, Tanzania’s sixth and first female leader, defied early expectations that he would not follow President John Pombe Magufulufu’s repressive approach when the election was not fair.

Many voters are confused by the depth of Authoritarianism under HASSAN. Some critics point out that the opposition parties that are allowed to appear in the vote did not campaign much, while some of the opposition parties even appeared to encourage Hassan’s election.

It’s almost undeniable

Voters will choose between HASSAN and 16 other contestants. Two of HASSAN’s main opponents, Chadema’s tundu Lissu and ACT-WAZaLENendo’s Lundaga Mpina, have been banned from seeking the Presidency of Tanzania.

Lissi has been a vocal leader of the opposition to Hassan in recent years following his exile from Europe, following an assassination attempt in 2017. Now he has been charged with treason. The police have already arrested John Heche, Chadema’s Deputy Leader, who was arrested while Lissu’s trial began.

While his main opponents have been shut down, Hassan has been touring the country in a campaign that promises stability and prosperity for many agricultural workers. ‘With work and dignity,’ his campaign says, the country can move forward.

His CCM party, which maintains ties to the Chinese Communist Party, has credibility in parts of the country, although the party’s share of the popular vote has been shrinking as opposition parties make their case for change.

However, the CCM heads to the polls are almost secure, said Nikodemu Minde, a Tanzanian researcher with the Center for Security, a TAM think tank based in South Africa.

Voter Turnout, which has been declining since 2010, is predicted to be low, especially since the CCM’s victory is taken for granted, he wrote in his group’s analysis. “Voters’ indifference may be influenced by the incompetence of the two opposition parties,” he said.

He warned that Tanzania’s elections present “a greater risk of reinforcing authoritarian practices than advancing democracy.”

The opposition has called for protests on election day.

A fear that can develop

Chadema, the opposition party is allowed to participate in the elections, insisting that there is no popular vote without the changes it says are necessary to have free and fair elections.

Some voters who spoke to the accompanying press said they were worried about the threat to peace from the election, after the authorities said they would not tolerate any disruption with a possible demonstration.

Many say they have been left disillusioned by oppressive tactics that include arrests and kidnappings by unknown people. Others worry that the government plans to shut down the Internet in the run-up to the vote.

“Peace must prevail for the elections to work properly,” said Joshkazi Gerald, a former salesperson in the capital of Dar es Salaam, who asked not to give his last name for fear of safety. “Because, without peace, there may be chaos or fear, and people may fail to exercise their democratic rights.”

Noel Johnson, Another young voter in the city, said “the government needs to protect our legal rights, especially the right to protest because we are not satisfied with the ongoing electoral process.”

Hassan urged the voters to turn out in large numbers, saying that peace would be interesting, but they are worried about possible chaos.

Richard Mbunda, a political scientist with the University of Dar es Salaam, told the press that social care can depress the country. “There are clear signs of war,” said Mbunda.

Even a seemingly stable country like Tanzania runs the risk of Tanzania going into chaos if the authorities become unreasonable, he warned.

“The tone of reconciliation that is spoken during the campaigns should be genuine,” he said. “Dialogue is necessary. Elections are valid but they do not have political layers.”

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Muhumuziza reported from Kampala, Uganda. Journalists associated with Dodoma and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, are contributing to this report.