CHADEMA’s Stand Against Electoral Injustice in Tanzania: A Call for Genuine Democracy

“We Have Rejected Deceitful Politics” — CHADEMA’s John Heche Speaks Out

Friday, May 23, 2025 — In a powerful and emotionally charged speech, CHADEMA’s Deputy Chairperson (Mainland), John Heche, addressed key issues facing Tanzania’s democratic process as he opened the Central Committee meeting in Dodoma.

Heche began by posing critical questions to Tanzanians:

“There are questions we must ask ourselves as Tanzanians. When it comes to CHADEMA and the country at large—are the things we’re fighting for truly real? When we raise the slogan ‘No Reforms, No Election’—is that a genuine call? Are our national elections truly free and fair, or are they being rigged?”

He didn’t stop there. Heche pointed to chilling incidents from previous elections, particularly those at the local government level:

“Are people being killed during elections? Last year alone, two people were killed—one in Tunduma, another in Manyoni, where a CHADEMA candidate was killed in his own home. And in all of this, no one has been held accountable.”

He also raised concerns about the mistreatment of CHADEMA polling agents:

 “Our agents are being mistreated—removed from polling stations, denied the right to oversee vote counting. Returning Officers are the ones deciding who can and can’t be a polling agent. Is this fair?”

He further criticized the vetting process of opposition candidates:

 “Our candidates’ names are being removed. The Minister for Regional Administration and Local Government openly stated that 26,000 opposition candidates were disqualified—yet not a single one from CCM. For instance, lawyer Deogratius Mahinyila, the national chair of BAVICHA, was disqualified from running in Berege village (Mpwapwa - Dodoma) on claims he couldn’t read and write—yet the CCM candidate, who only reached the fourth grade, was approved.”

Heche summarized the core of their struggle:

“These are the things we are fighting against. We have rejected deceitful politics.”

He then posed a broader question to party members and citizens:

 “So, what do we do now? Do we accept this trickery, where constituencies are handed out instead of elections being conducted through voting? Or do we stand with the will of the people to ensure this country is freed from the hands of corrupt leaders through the power of the vote?”

He ended his speech with a strong reaffirmation:

“The position of our party is clear: to stand with the people, to reject deceitful politics, and to demand a democratic process that is fair, transparent, and just.”

As the 2025 electoral season looms, Heche’s message resonates as a clarion call for electoral reform, justice, and accountability.