As Tanzanians go to the polls in October 2020, citizens are faced with a choice between the
incumbent President John Magufuli and aspirants from opposition parties. In the last five
years, Magufuli has been given credit for growing the economy and rooting out corruption.
However, his administration has promulgated a large number of laws that have curtailed
media freedom and other civil liberties. To preserve Tanzania’s democracy going forward, it will
be crucial to level the playing field and ensure the implementation of electoral reforms. In October 2020, Tanzanians head to the polls to elect the president, members of Parliament and councillors. This research aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the politics of Tanzania ahead of the elections. It looks at recent political developments since President John Pombe Magufuli ascended to power, the legal framework as well as the status of political contestation
in Tanzania as the country prepares for the polls. The general elections will be the country’s sixth since multiparty democracy was re-introduced in 1992. The ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), is fielding the incumbent Magufuli as its presidential candidate for a second five-year term. On 11 July 2020 the CCM Congress confirmed his candidacy with 100%
of the votes.
