As Tanzania gears up for civic elections in five months and a general election next year, the registration of new political parties has become a contentious issue. Two new parties, Independent People’s Party (IPP) and Action for Human Justice (AHJ Wajamaa), have expressed frustration over delays in obtaining registration certificates in time for the local government elections in October. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties has reportedly halted all new registrations, leaving these parties in limbo.
Despite paying the required fee for provisional registration, both parties are still waiting for approval. This delay raises concerns about their ability to participate in the upcoming elections and reflects poorly on Tanzania’s democratic process. AHJ Wajamaa even wrote a letter to President Samia Suluhu expressing their concerns about the suspension of new party registrations by the registrar.
With the political landscape already dominated by 19 registered parties, the lack of new registrations raises questions about inclusivity and fairness in Tanzania’s electoral system. Both IPP and AHJ Wajamaa are facing obstacles in obtaining registration, raising concerns about potential barriers to democratic participation.