Category: The Citizen

Arusha. Four bird species native to Tanzania’s grasslands are in the running for the coveted title of Tanzania Bird of the Year 2026, with voting now open to citizens, the diaspora, tourists and global bird enthusiasts.

The contenders are the Common Ostrich, Red-necked Spurfowl, Kori Bustard and Southern Ground Hornbill. They are competing to succeed the Superb Starling, which currently holds the 2025 title until December.

The campaign, coordinated by Nature Tanzania, is part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness about bird conservation. Marketing Officer Gaudensia Mariki said students from Manyara Ranch Primary, Tumaini Senior Secondary and Edward Lowassa Secondary School have already voted.

“We also conducted a community campaign at the Makuyuni marketplace to familiarise residents with the voting process and to promote appreciation of birds and environmental protection,” Ms Mariki noted. According to Programme Officer Edwin Kamugisha, the voting exercise began on September 7 and will run for four weeks.

The 2026 winner will be officially announced in December after more than 10,000 votes are tallied both online and in person. Each species brings unique ecological value.

The Kori Bustard is celebrated as a heavyweight grassland ambassador, crucial in controlling insects and dispersing seeds. The Common Ostrich, symbolic of Tanzania’s savanna, contributes to ecological balance but faces threats from habitat loss and illegal hunting.

The Red-necked Spurfowl supports both grasslands and farmlands by dispersing seeds and regulating insect populations, though it is vulnerable to overhunting and habitat destruction. The Southern Ground Hornbill, known for its booming calls and slow breeding cycles, plays an important ecological role but is highly endangered.

Outgoing titleholder, the Superb Starling, with its dazzling plumage and social traits, remains a reminder that even familiar species face growing conservation challenges. Nature Tanzania Director Emmanuel Mgimwa said the Bird of the Year campaign, launched in 2023 with the Secretary Bird as the first winner, seeks to inspire citizens to protect “everyday nature” before it is too late.

“We want Tanzanians to understand that even common species are under threat. This year, we encourage everyone to take part and make their voices count, either face to face or online,” he said.

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Liverpool. Prime Minister Keir Starmer appealed directly to working-class voters on Tuesday, calling on Labour’s traditional supporters to reject the “snake oil” peddled by the populist Reform UK party and back his vision of “a Britain built for all”.

In the most passionate defence of his premiership since he won a landslide election in July last year, Starmer called for unity, attacking Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage and his Reform party for only being interested in fomenting division. Under threat from Reform on the right and a nascent leftist party under his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, Starmer called on voters to be patient with his Labour government, which he said was taking its first steps along the path to “renew Britain”.

And he appealed directly to Britain’s working people, saying he understood their frustrations of being “patronised” by politicians, referring to his late father feeling disrespected for having a manual job rather than a university education – something he pledged to change by promoting technical colleges. Starmer calls for fight for ‘soul’ of Britain “No matter how many people tell me it can’t be done, I believe Britain can come together,” he told his party’s second annual conference in the northern English city of Liverpool since winning power last year.

“We can all see our country faces a choice, a defining choice. Britain stands at a fork in the road.

We can choose decency, or we can choose division. Renewal or decline,” he said in a challenge to increasingly restive lawmakers who question his leadership after falling behind Reform in the polls.

In a nod to the difficulties he has faced in the first year of his premiership with his personal poll ratings the worst for a British leader since at least 1977, Starmer again committed to raising living standards and putting money in voters’ pockets. But he also sought to convince them that Labour is the true patriotic party rather than Reform, with officials handing out Britain’s flags to the audience, who waved them during several standing ovations.

“For me, patriotism is about love and pride, about serving an interest that is more than yourself, a common good,” he said. “And the question I ask seriously of Nigel Farage and Reform is, do they love our country or do they just want to stir the pot of division, because that’s worked in their interests?” He repeated that his government would tackle the high rates of illegal immigration into Britain but would fight racism and those who “say or imply the people cannot be English or British because of the colour of their skin”.

That focus on fighting Farage was welcomed by many in the packed conference hall. “Farage doesn’t care about normal people, and it was important we get that message out,” said Shabaan Saleem, a 21-year-old Labour councillor.

But Farage said the accusations of racism had put its supporters in danger. “To accuse countless millions of being racist is a very, very low blow,” he said.

“It directly threatens the safety of our elected officials and our campaigners.” Starmer faces difficult tax and spending decisions Starmer faces some difficult decisions.

After saying that last year’s tax rises – the biggest in more than 30 years – were a one-off in terms of scale, the government might be forced to again raise tens of billions of pounds in taxes to cover a forecast fiscal shortfall. Finance minister Rachel Reeves used her speech at conference to warn those in the party who want her to ease her fiscal rules to spend more on the nation’s ailing economy that they were “wrong, dangerously so”, keeping the door open to tax rises.

And Starmer warned the party that it might face uncomfortable choices. “It is a test.

A fight for the soul of our country, every bit as big as rebuilding Britain after the war, and we must all rise to this challenge,” Starmer said. “And yet we need to be clear that our path, the path of renewal, it’s long, it’s difficult, it requires decisions that are not cost-free or easy.

Decisions – that will not always be comfortable for our party.” .

Dar es Salaam. Presidential candidate Doyo Hassan Doyo of the National League for Democracy (NLD) has identified five major challenges in Geita Region that he says he will address if elected in the October 29 General Election.

Speaking during his campaign tour in Sengerema District at Zamani Bus Terminal and Buseresere Ward yesterday, Mr Doyo said poor roads and high transport costs remain the region’s biggest problems. He also highlighted shortages of medicines and medical equipment in health centres, limited access to clean water, and farmers’ struggles to sell their produce in profitable markets.

“If citizens grant me their mandate, I will ensure farmers can sell their produce in markets that offer fair prices,” Mr Doyo said. “Currently, many are forced to sell in exploitative markets that perpetuate poverty.

If you trust me and vote on October 29, I will ensure farmers receive fair and motivating prices for all their crops.” Mr Doyo criticised the ruling party, CCM, for fixing prices that he says prevent farmers from earning fair returns, describing such policies as a way to keep citizens in poverty.

He also raised broader infrastructure and social service challenges, noting that despite the country’s rich mineral resources, including gold, diamonds, and Tanzanite, many citizens still lack access to clean water, health services, and quality roads. On transport, Mr Doyo said operators face high running costs due to poor roads and excessive taxes, limiting business growth.

“These problems have persisted for decades. Citizens are again asked to trust promises that were never fulfilled.

Tanzanians, choose NLD for real development,” he said. Campaign Manager Pogora Ibrahim Pogora urged voters to support Mr Doyo, noting that he had studied the challenges before seeking office.

“It is time for citizens to elect Mr Doyo, a leader committed to addressing the issues he has already researched,” Pogora said. He added that the NLD manifesto focuses on three principles: patriotism, justice, and development–values Mr Doyo promises to uphold if elected.

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Dar es Salaam. Uncertainty regarding access to the US market is growing among some African countries, including Tanzania, as a trade preference programme expired without renewal yesterday.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), introduced in 2000, provides over 1,800 products from Sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the US market. Currently, 32 countries are eligible for this preferential treatment under AGOA, of which 21, classified as “lesser developed countries” by the US, also receive special textile and apparel preferential treatment.

Tanzania, being one of the beneficiary countries, is hopeful for the renewal of the trade pact to enable local industries to continue exporting to the US. Dr.

Hashil Abdallah, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, stated that the government is now relying on regional blocs, such as the East African Community (EAC), to urge the US Congress to extend the deal. “If the programme is not renewed, many local industries and businesses could face significant setbacks,” he said, adding that some Tanzanian companies are already benefiting from AGOA.

“If it ends, they could lose access to the US market and encounter serious business challenges.” AGOA allows over 1,800 products, including garments, agricultural goods, and minerals, to enter the US market without tariffs.

In 2023, US imports under AGOA were valued at nearly $10 billion, according to US statistics. “Through regional blocs, we are requesting and urging Congress to extend this law so that we can continue trading in the US without affecting businesses and industries that have found markets for their products,” Dr Abdallah added.

Independent economist Oscar Mkude expressed concerns about the clarity of AGOA’s future. Although negotiations had begun earlier, US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies disrupted progress, leaving a clear framework for renewal uncertain.

“It’s possible, but not very likely,” Mr Mkude said. “We may have to continue trading with the US under normal market conditions, which include higher tariffs.

” According to him, Tanzania’s key exports under AGOA in 2023 included gold ($51.1 million), agricultural products ($28 million), and garments ($11 million). “Still, total exports to the US make up only 1.

86 percent of Tanzania’s overall exports, amounting to about $210 million out of over $10 billion to the rest of the world,” he noted. Dr Abel Kinyondo, a Senior Lecturer at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), emphasised the critical importance of understanding the country’s production capabilities to drive sustainable economic growth.

He pointed out that increasing the country’s capacity for value addition is essential. “Signing multiple trade agreements, including AGOA, holds little significance if we do not have competitive products or services to offer in exchange,” Dr Kinyondo explained.

He stressed that without enhancing domestic production and improving value addition, such agreements cannot fully benefit the country’s economy. He further highlighted the need for strategic investments in local industries and innovation to boost Tanzania’s export potential and ensure meaningful participation in global markets.

The expiration of AGOA would make it more expensive and challenging for African goods, especially textiles and garments, to compete in the US market. Countries like Kenya and Madagascar would face steep increases in tariffs.

For instance, Kenya’s average tariff on exports to the US would nearly triple from 10 percent to 28 percent, while Madagascar’s would double to 23 percent. AGOA has not only aided African exporters but also benefited US companies by providing access to cheaper raw materials and encouraging American investment in Africa.

The trade deal has supported job creation, improved supply chains, and strengthened economic ties between the US and Africa. On March 30, President Samia Suluhu Hassan urged then-US Vice President Kamala Harris to consider extending AGOA to provide African countries with greater opportunities for trade expansion.

“African nations, including Tanzania, are requesting that this agreement be extended for 10 years to assure sustainability for investors conducting business here,” said President Hassan. .

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has officially announced that the general elections for the Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) will take place on November 29, 2025, in Dar es Salaam.

The announcement was made by TFF Election Committee Vice-Chairman, Advocate Benjamini Kalume, who confirmed that the full election schedule has been finalized and urged all eligible candidates and stakeholders to prepare for the process. The nomination process will run from tomorrow to October 6, 2025. Positions up for election include chairman, vice-chairman, and representatives from various leagues: three from the Mainland Premier League, two from the Championship League, and one from the First League.

Nomination fees are set at Sh200, 000 for candidates vying for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman positions, while other board member candidates are required to pay Sh100, 000. Advocate Kalume clarified that candidates for the top leadership roles must currently hold positions as Chairman or Vice-Chairman in their respective clubs, ensuring that league leadership is composed of individuals with direct experience in team and competition management. The election timeline has been carefully scheduled to ensure transparency.

A preliminary screening of all candidates will take place from October 7 to 9, followed by a period from October 12 to 14 for appeals against approved or disqualified candidates. Candidate interviews are scheduled for October 18 and 19, while the official campaign period will run from October 23 to 28. Advocate Kalume stressed that the TFF Election Committee is committed to conducting elections that are free, fair, and transparent, involving all key football stakeholders.

He urged club leaders and stakeholders to maintain professionalism and avoid any actions that could compromise the integrity of the process. The upcoming elections come after the resignation of former TPLB Chairman, Steven Mguto, in June 2025. Since then, the board has been under the leadership of Acting Chairman Nassoro Idrissa, who will oversee the transition to the newly elected board.

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By Deus Bugaywa The turquoise waters of Kizimkazi, a historic fishing village on Zanzibar’s southern coast, seem an unlikely cradle for a president. Yet it was here, amidst the rhythms of island life, that Tanzania’s first female Head of State, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was born on January 27, 1960. Tanzania has often defied expectations when it comes to the origins of its leaders, who tend to emerge from unexpected places.

Kizimkazi, modest as it was, would play host to God’s larger plan for Tanzania’s history: producing a leader from a humble background, as was the case with her predecessors. Samia’s journey from this small coastal community to the pinnacle of power in one of Africa’s most significant nations is a story of quiet determination, shattered glass ceilings and the navigation of profound national transition.

Born when Zanzibar was still a sultanate that united with Tanganyika four years later to form Tanzania, her upbringing instilled the values of education and hard work. Her intellect shone early in local schools, setting her on a path beyond the shores of her village.

Her education spanned primary schools in Chwaka (Unguja), Ziwani (Pemba), and Mahonda (Unguja) between 1966 and 1972. She later attended Ng’ambo Secondary School (19731975) and Lumumba Secondary School (1976). After finishing high school in 1977, she joined the civil service as a clerk in the Ministry of Planning and Development, grounding herself in governance from the outset.

Determined to advance, she balanced work and study, earning a Diploma in Public Administration from the Institute of Development Management (IDM) Mzumbe (19831986), followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics from the University of Manchester in 1994. In 2015, she capped her academic journey with an MSc in Community Economic Development through a joint programme between the Open University of Tanzania and Southern New Hampshire University, underscoring a lifelong commitment to learning. Her political career began in 2000 when she joined the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

That same year she was elected to the Zanzibar House of Representatives through Special Seats and appointed Minister for Youth Employment, Women and Children Development by President Amani Abeid Karume, making her the only woman to hold a senior cabinet post at the time. This trailblazing pattern of being the “first woman” would define her career.

Re-elected in 2005, she became Zanzibar’s Minister for Tourism, Trade and Investment, serving until 2010. Her influence expanded when President Jakaya Kikwete appointed her as Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union Matters), a position she held until 2015. In 2014, she was elected Vice-Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly charged with drafting Tanzania’s new constitution, where her consensus-building skills came to the fore. Her national profile rose dramatically in 2015 when CCM presidential candidate John Magufuli selected her as his running mate–the first woman in the party’s history to hold that position.

Their landslide victory made her the country’s first female Vice-President. While Magufuli rarely travelled abroad, Samia became the face of Tanzania on the international stage.

She was re-nominated in 2020, and following another landslide win, began a second term. Fate intervened in March 2021. On the 17th, she announced to the nation the sudden death of President Magufuli.

Two days later, she was sworn in as the sixth President of the United Republic of Tanzania and the country’s first female Head of State. She inherited a complex situation: a nation grappling with Covid-19, strained civic freedoms, and economic uncertainty.

President Samia immediately marked a change in leadership style. Her “quiet diplomacy” emphasised reconciliation, reforms, resilience, and rebuilding–the 4Rs.

She established a scientific task force to guide the Covid-19 response, promoted testing, and was publicly vaccinated. She lifted bans on media outlets, reinstated rights previously curtailed, and overturned the controversial policy barring pregnant schoolgirls from education.

Her authority within CCM was cemented when the party’s National Executive Committee elected her as Chairperson, making her the first woman to lead one of Africa’s oldest and most powerful political movements. From the clerk’s desk in Zanzibar to the highest office in the land, Samia Suluhu Hassan’s rise has been marked by persistence and quiet transformation.

She now governs a nation at a crossroads, balancing reform with political realities, reopening Tanzania to the world while tackling long-standing domestic challenges. The girl from Kizimkazi stands as a symbol of possibility, an embodiment of leadership forged in humility, shaped by resilience, and directed towards change.

Her story is far from over, but its foundations, rooted in the sandy shores of Zanzibar, remain a testament to what determination and vision can achieve. Deus Bugaywa is a political analyst based in Dar es Salaam.

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Kilimanjaro. President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday launched her election campaign in the Kilimanjaro Region with a strong emphasis on infrastructure, healthcare, water supply and education, pledging to build on her administration’s achievements of the past four years.

Speaking in Same District, President Hassan told residents and party supporters that the government had laid a foundation for nationwide reforms aimed at extending services to rural and underserved communities. She said electrification remained a top priority.

“Our manifesto promised to electrify every village but we have gone further. We have reached hamlets too.

Already, we have brought electricity to half of all hamlets in Tanzania. At our current pace, the whole country will have power within the next year and a half,” she said.

The President also spoke of her early memories of campaigning in Same in 2004, recalling a visit to a rural dispensary where women were giving birth in poor conditions. “Even though I was only a running mate at the time, I made a silent promise to work for change.

Today, I thank God that we have been able to deliver,” she said. She listed six new health centres constructed in Same, three more nearing completion and five dispensaries under construction.

These facilities, she said, form part of wider national healthcare reforms to equip hospitals and health centres with essential medicines, staff and supplies. On maternal health, President Hassan cited recent reports from Pangani District in Tanga Region where no maternal deaths had been recorded for several months.

She said such results reflected the government’s focus on protecting mothers and children. Water access also featured in her address.

She said urban coverage had grown from 64.5 percent in 2020 to 89.5 percent, while rural areas were steadily catching up. She confirmed that phase one of the SameMwangaKorogwe project had been completed, with phase two under preparation to cover the rest of Same and parts of Korogwe.

“Our pledge to the people of Same and to all Tanzanians is to ensure every citizen has access to clean and safe water close to where they live,” she said. On education, the President reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to free schooling, classroom construction, expansion of technical education and investment in infrastructure.

She also promised to continue increasing allocations to TARURA to improve feeder roads and rural connectivity, noting that several roads raised by Same leaders were already on the government’s list of priorities. The President addressed humanwildlife conflict in Kisima, Same Mjini, Stesheni, Joro, Vumari, Ruvu, Bangalana and Makanya wards.

She said a wildlife control centre had been established in Maore Ward and was being equipped with tools and rapid response systems to support farmers and communities affected. Parliamentary candidates joined the rally to share their records and priorities.

Same East CCM parliamentary candidate Anne Kilango-Malecela highlighted the expansion of healthcare, saying the number of health centres had grown from one when she first entered office to four today, with more under construction. She also cited the ongoing construction of the 100-kilometre MkomaziSame road, with 36 kilometres already complete, and pledged to continue lobbying for gravel and tarmac roads in highland areas where ginger farmers face challenges transporting produce.

In Same West, CCM parliamentary candidate David Mathayo outlined projects implemented under the current administration, including a Sh300 billion water initiative and Sh306 billion allocated to related projects. He also pointed to Sh8.7 billion set aside for schools and Sh10.6 billion for rural electrification, with only 110 villages remaining without power.

He promised further work to address humanwildlife conflict and to support compensation schemes for farmers. Both Ms Kilango-Malecela and Dr Mathayo stressed that road infrastructure remained the biggest concern in highland communities where seasonal rains render many routes impassable.

CCM regional leaders used the platform to reinforce the party’s unity. Regional Chairman Patrick Boisafi said the people of Kilimanjaro had benefited from the leadership of President Hassan and called for continued support in the October election.

Former Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye, who is overseeing CCM campaigns in the northern zone, said the party had made gains in areas where it had previously struggled. “The people of this region have recognised the changes brought about by CCM, and we are confident that they will turn out in large numbers to vote for us,” he said.

CCM Secretary-General Dr Asha-Rose Migiro urged voters to back President Hassan, stressing that continuity of leadership was key for sustainable progress. “CCM is committed to ensuring development in every corner of the country, including Kilimanjaro,” she said.

As the campaign season begins in earnest, the President called on citizens to remain united and to evaluate candidates based on their records and capacity to deliver. “With God’s help, and with your support, we will continue to transform this country village by village, ward by ward, and region by region,” she said.

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Washington. The U.

S. government shut down much of its operations on Wednesday as deep partisan divisions prevented Congress and the White House from reaching a funding deal, setting off what could be a long, grueling standoff that could lead to the loss of thousands of federal jobs.

There was no clear path out of the impasse, while agencies warned that the 15th government shutdown since 1981 would halt the release of a closely watched September employment report, slow air travel, opens new tab, suspend scientific research, withhold pay from U.S.

troops and lead to the furlough of 750,000 federal workers at a daily cost of $400 million. Republican President Donald Trump, whose campaign to radically reshape the federal government is already on track to push out some 300,000 workers by December, warned congressional Democrats that a shutdown could clear the path for more job cuts.

Vice President JD Vance issued an unusual warning about air safety, noting that air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration personnel — essential staff who work through shutdowns — would be worried about delayed paychecks. “If you’re flying today, I hope, of course, you arrive safely and on time, but you may not arrive on time because the TSA and the air traffic controllers are not getting paid today,” Vance said on Fox News.

The U.S.

‘s longest-government shutdown, which stretched over 35 days in 2018-2019 during Trump’s first term, ended in part after flight delays caused by air traffic controllers calling in sick. Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a stopgap measure to fund the government through Nov.

21 over Republicans’ refusal to attach an extension of health benefits for millions of Americans that are due to expire at the end of the year. Republicans say the issue must be addressed separately.

Both sides were posturing to blame the other and looking for advantage in the 2026 midterm elections that will determine control of Congress. Senate Republican Leader John Thune scheduled another series of votes on Wednesday, hoping to pressure Democrats to break ranks.

Wall street slips The shutdown was set to delay the release of some government economic reports, adding unease to Wall Street investors at a time of economic uncertainty. Wall Street opened lower, gold struck a record high and Asian stocks wavered as investors worried about delays in the release of key data and the impact of job losses.

The dollar hovered near a one-week low versus major peers. At issue on the government funding front is $1.7 trillion for agency operations, which amounts to roughly one-quarter of the government’s total $7 trillion budget.

Much of the remainder goes to health and retirement programs and interest payments on the growing $37.5 trillion debt. Independent analysts warn the shutdown could last longer than the budget-related closures of the past, with Trump and White House officials threatening to punish Democrats with cuts to government programs and the federal payroll.

“Donald Trump and Republicans have shut the government down because they don’t want to provide healthcare to working-class Americans,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Thune said Democrats had routinely backed similar funding bills in years past.

“What’s changed is President Trump is in the White House. That’s what this is about.

This is politics. And there isn’t any substantive reason why there ought to be a government shutdown,” the South Dakota Republican told reporters.

Trump’s Republicans hold majorities in both chambers of Congress, but legislative rules require 60 of the 100 senators to agree on spending legislation. That means that at least seven Democrats are needed to pass a funding bill.

On Tuesday, three of them voted for the Republican bill. Democrats focus on healthcare funding Democrats are under pressure from their frustrated supporters to score a rare victory ahead of the 2026 midterm elections that will determine control of Congress for the final two years of Trump’s term.

The healthcare push has given them a chance to unite behind an issue that resonates with voters. Along with the extended health subsidies, Democrats have also sought to ensure that Trump will not be able to undo those changes if they are signed into law.

Trump has refused to spend billions of dollars approved by Congress, prompting some Democrats to question why they should vote for any spending legislation at all. University of Chicago professor Robert Pape said the polarized U.

S. political climate could make it harder for party leaders to reach a deal to reopen the government, which would likely anger their most vocal partisans.

“The rules of politics are radically changing, and we can’t know for sure where all of this is going to end,” he said. .

Kilimanjaro. Tanzania heads to the polls on October 29, and despite political tensions during the campaign period, analysts predict a strong voter turnout driven by structural, historical and social factors.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), more than 37.6 million Tanzanians have registered to vote, marking a 26 percent rise from the 2020 election. Analysts say this surge signals growing public interest, especially as most of the voter base is rural.

Over 60 percent of Tanzanians live in villages and peri-urban communities, where voting has traditionally been high. For many, the act of voting goes beyond choosing leaders; it is seen as an affirmation of belonging and recognition in national affairs.

University of Dar es Salaam political analyst Salbinus David noted that while campaign frictions have surfaced, they are unlikely to reduce turnout. “Moments of disagreement and logistical concerns are not unusual in any competitive democracy,” he said.

“What matters is citizens’ readiness to exercise their right to vote, and the data suggests that readiness is very high, especially outside major cities.” INEC reports show that new voter registration far exceeded expectations.

The commission initially targeted 5.58 million new voters but enrolled more than 7.

64 million, 136 percent of the target. Analysts attribute this to civic education campaigns, improved registration access, and rising interest among young and first-time voters.

State University of Zanzibar political scientist Prof Makame Ali Ussi stressed that new voters are spread across the country. “This is not driven by one region but a nationwide mobilisation,” he said.

“Given the structure of political competition, where many councillors and MPs come from the very communities they represent, rural and peri-urban voters have strong incentives to turn up.” He added that elections in Tanzania are as much local events as national ones, since candidates are often embedded in their communities.

“This closeness creates a unique sense of accountability and recognition, which drives higher turnout,” Prof Ussi explained. Women are also expected to play a major role.

INEC data shows that 50.31 percent of registered voters are women, compared to 49.69 percent men. Analysts say this rare gender balance highlights increasing female engagement in politics, driven by grassroots mobilisation to overcome barriers of information and transport.

Still, analysts caution against equating high registration with guaranteed participation. Political fatigue, broken promises, and logistical hurdles could affect turnout on election day.

But experts agree that Tanzania’s electoral culture, particularly in rural areas, has consistently proven resilient. Peace and stability remain at the heart of the national conversation.

Prof Ussi warned, however, that the language of peace should not be used to silence debate. “In a democracy, peace means resolving differences through ballots, not conflict,” he said.

Mr David added that the credibility of institutions will be critical. “As long as citizens believe the process is fair, their vote respected, and their voices heard, they will turn out in large numbers,” he said.

Digital platforms are also shaping the political narrative, especially in cities. But University of Dar es Salaam lecturer Sylvester Kweka warned against overstating their influence.

“Social media reflects a narrow, urban demographic,” he said. “In rural areas, where most Tanzanians live, politics is still conducted face-to-face.

People know their candidates personally and engage directly, and that is what resonates with them.” He cautioned political parties not to rely too heavily on online campaigns.

“Social media can amplify voices, but without strong grassroots mobilisation it risks becoming an echo chamber,” he said. With weeks remaining, the 2025 election is shaping up as a test of Tanzania’s democratic maturity.

Rising voter registration, gender balance, and strong civic culture suggest that turnout could be one of the defining features of the polls. .

Musoma. Democratic Party (DP) presidential candidate Abdul Mluya has pledged that, if elected President of Tanzania, his first act will be to close the country’s borders to prevent those inside from leaving, saying the move aims to pursue corrupt individuals who have embezzled taxpayers’ money.

However, Mr Mluya did not specify how he intends to prosecute the corrupt, only clarifying that while borders would be sealed, those outside the country would still be allowed to enter. Speaking on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at a campaign rally here, Mluya said corruption has forced Tanzanians to endure hardship despite the nation’s vast natural resources.

“People of Mara, and Tanzanians generally, live as though your very birth is a curse. The resources God blessed us with have been turned into a curse by a few.

This will not be tolerated under a DP government. These resources are blessings and must benefit all of us,” he said.

Mr Mluya stated that the first group he will pursue once borders are closed includes those who allowed the importation of substandard fishing nets, which left many citizens, particularly fishermen, impoverished after the nets were seized and burned. “Nets are imported through ports and taxed, then sold to citizens, only for officials to seize and burn them.

The question is, how can the government collect revenue from these nets and then drive innocent citizens into poverty?” he asked. He stressed that in combating corruption, his government would consider no one’s status, saying even former Presidents, Prime Ministers, or senior leaders would be held accountable.

Mr Mluya also pledged that, if elected, his government would demolish Musoma Airport, arguing that its location in the middle of town endangers lives. The site would instead be used to build a university to give Mara residents access to higher education.

He promised a modern airport would be built outside the town to boost the regional economy and ease transport challenges. On pensions, Mr Mluya vowed to abolish the kikokotoo (pension formula) system.

Instead, he pledged to improve civil servants’ welfare before retirement. He explained that every civil servant would be entitled to a modern housing loan, deducted from their salary during service, enabling them to retire with dignity and without the hardships caused by the kikokotoo system.

“We will ensure civil servants work in comfort by improving their welfare. This will boost morale and, in turn, improve efficiency and service delivery,” he added.

Mr Mluya said social services would also be a priority, lamenting that access remains poor despite existing infrastructure. “For example, we are told hospitals have been built, but in reality, these are just buildings without proper services.

Elect me and I will improve delivery so ordinary citizens like myself can access quality healthcare,” he said. DP Mainland Vice-Chairman Chrisant Nyakitita urged all Tanzanians, regardless of party affiliation, to attend campaign rallies of every political party so they can compare policies and make informed decisions on Election Day.

He said campaign meetings are intended to publicise manifestos and policies, and citizens should seize the opportunity without regard to a party’s size. Mr Nyakitita further urged eligible voters to turn out on October 29, 2025, dismissing calls from some quarters urging people to boycott the election.

He emphasised that DP has long championed constitutional reforms, a struggle that cost the party its permanent registration for over nine years, during which its leaders were repeatedly arrested and jailed. “Others may be calling for constitutional reforms today, but we began this struggle long ago.

Our late founder, Reverend Christopher Mtikila, was arrested more than 40 times and served two years in prison. DP is the true pioneer of constitutional reform,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr Nyakitita stressed that reforms cannot be achieved if citizens boycott elections, saying leaders capable of delivering them will only emerge through the ballot. “Tanzanians must be cautious of those urging them not to vote.

By doing so, you risk your lives for the next five years, as it allows a few people to elect poor leaders. To solve our challenges, we must vote for competent leaders who will act,” he added.

He reminded citizens that voting is their constitutional right and a means of choosing capable leaders based on manifestos and policies. “I have no doubt our manifesto and policies are superior to those of other parties.

Do not make mistakes, turn out in large numbers to vote for DP so we can deliver meaningful development for our country,” he said. Opening the rally, DP Mara Regional Chairman, Mr Bagaile Konjo, urged Tanzanians to vote for DP to bring progress to the nation.

“The country has problems, citizens have problems, and even our presidential candidate shares your struggles. As our party says, the time for liberation is now.

Do not make mistakes, elect councillors, MPs, and a president from our party,” he said. .