This archive report was first published on 13 August 2020.
As Tanzania prepares to head to the polls in late October, the country is abuzz with election fever. The ruling party, in a surprise move, has opened its doors to new candidates, allowing anyone to run for office as long as they relinquish their previous posts.
This has led to a surge in interest, with some positions seeing over 10, 20, or even more candidates vying for them. The opposition, too, is reorganizing itself, with key figures like Tundu Lissu returning from exile to throw their hats into the ring.
For voters like Elsie EyaKuze, this is a welcome development. 'The more, the merrier,' she says, 'perhaps we may even get to improve the overall quality of our elected officials since the idea is that competition tends to favour the best of the best, if it is not rigged.'
But with the stakes high and the outcome far from certain, many are left wondering what the future holds. Will the ruling party maintain its grip on power, or will the opposition be able to break through? Only time will tell.
As the election season heats up, one thing is clear: this is a seminal moment for Tanzanian politics. The country is at a crossroads, and the choices it makes will have far-reaching consequences.
