THRDC Sheds Light on 'No Reform, No Election' Movement

Dar es Salaam – The National Coordinator of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), Advocate Onesmo Olengurumwa, has clarified that the No Reform, No Election agenda predates the opposition party Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), asserting that it originated within the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) before Tanzania transitioned into a multiparty political system.

Addressing journalists in Dar es Salaam, Olengurumwa traced the agenda’s roots back to 1992 when Tanzania was preparing to embrace multiparty democracy. He explained that the agenda emerged as part of the recommendations from the Nyalali Commission, which was tasked with assessing the viability of a multiparty system in the country.

“One of the key recommendations from the commission was that the 1995 general elections should only take place after necessary constitutional reforms were implemented. At that time, Chadema had not yet been established, and there was no formal opposition in Tanzania. This demonstrates that the No Reform, No Election movement is not exclusive to any single party—it is a cause for all Tanzanians, regardless of political affiliation,” Olengurumwa emphasized.

A Push for Electoral Reforms, Not an Election Boycott

Olengurumwa further clarified that the agenda does not advocate for canceling elections but rather stresses the need for robust electoral reforms to ensure free, fair, and competitive elections under a multiparty system. He highlighted that similar reform demands have resurfaced in every election cycle since 1995, including during the 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 elections.

He also pointed to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s efforts in establishing various committees aimed at implementing electoral reforms—an acknowledgment of the necessity of change before future elections.

Reforms Benefiting the Entire Nation

The THRDC coordinator reiterated that ongoing electoral reforms are not designed to serve Chadema alone but to strengthen democracy for all citizens. He cited past instances of electoral challenges, including candidate disqualifications and issues with voter registration and transparency, as key areas needing improvement.

He urged political parties, the National Electoral Commission (NEC), and government leaders to work collectively in identifying and implementing necessary reforms to uphold democratic integrity in Tanzania.