High Court to Review Petition Challenging Minister’s Role in Overseeing Local Elections
By Adonis Byemelwa
Dar es Salaam—The High Court will hear a critical petition filed by three Tanzanians on Thursday,22nd August 2024, challenging the recent announcement that the Minister of State in the President’s Office—Regional Administration and Local Governments (PO-RALG) will oversee the upcoming local government elections set for November 27, 2025.
Bob Chacha Wangwe, Bubelwa Kaiza, and Ananilea Nkya argue that the minister’s role in coordinating and supervising the elections is unlawful. They contend that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be the sole authority responsible for managing the elections.
Minister Mohammed Mchengerwa announced on August 15, 2024, that Tanzanians will vote on November 27, 2024, to elect local government officials, including street, village, and hamlet chairpersons, as well as members of consultative councils. The announcement aims to enhance local governance by transferring power to the people.
The petition, titled Miscellaneous Civil Cause No. 19721 of 2024, will be heard by Judge Wilfred Dyansobera. The petitioner’s attorney, Mpale Mpoki, will seek court permission to challenge the minister’s authority to oversee the elections.
Wangwe expressed concerns about the minister’s role, citing past issues with the PO-RALG. “The 2019 elections were marred by massive irregularities, including disqualifications of opposition candidates,” Wangwe told The Respondent online. “We cannot expect a politically vested minister to ensure a fair electoral process. We need the INEC to handle these elections.”
The 2019 elections were criticized for significant irregularities, with the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) securing an overwhelming majority of seats amid allegations of biased oversight by the PO-RALG. Despite the introduction of legal reforms under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which established the INEC to manage elections impartially, authorities are continuing with the PO-RALG’s oversight for the upcoming elections.
Both the opposition ACT-Wazalendo party and Chadema, Tanzania’s leading opposition party, have condemned the move. They argue that allowing PO-RALG to oversee the elections contradicts the new legal framework and risks repeating the problems of 2019. While both parties are considering legal action to prevent PO-RALG’s involvement, no official boycott has been announced yet.
