While 17 candidates have been cleared to contest the presidency, the race is widely seen as uncompetitive, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan facing only minor challengers following the disqualification of the country's two largest opposition parties.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who assumed power in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, is running with Emmanuel Nchimbi, a seasoned politician and former minister.
Since the reintroduction of multi-party democracy in 1992, CCM has never lost a general election, and Samia Suluhu is highly likely to extend her party's unbroken run of power, which began with its predecessor in 1961, to over six decades in the upcoming 2025 general election.
Main opposition leaders barred
The election landscape changed dramatically after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) barred the two largest opposition parties, Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo, from participating.
Tundu Lissu, leader of Chadema, was arrested in April on treason charges after what he termed a campaign for electoral reforms. His party was subsequently disqualified from the election.
Similarly, Luhaga Mpina, the presidential hopeful from ACT-Wazalendo, was disqualified twice. Although the High Court initially reinstated his candidacy, the electoral commission quickly reversed the decision following an objection from the Attorney General, and the High Court later upheld the final disqualification.
These developments have left smaller opposition parties in the running, though none are seen as posing a serious threat to CCM's dominance.
With the main opposition out of the race, the remaining contenders include the incumbent, Samia Suluhu Hassan, along with 16 candidates from smaller parties.
Salum Mwalimu of the Public Liberation Party (Chaumma) is arguably the most politically significant figure among the minor opposition, largely due to his recent high-profile role in the main opposition movement.
Mwalimu previously served as the running mate to Tundu Lissu, the disqualified Chadema leader, in the 2020 presidential election, and was a former Secretary-General of that party before his defection to Chaumma. His participation is notable as he attempts to capitalise on the void left by his former party.
Haji Ambar Khamis (National Convention for Construction and Reform â€" Mageuzi - NCCR-MAGEUZI), representing a veteran opposition party, has put forth a core campaign pledge focused on major political change, promising to enact a new national constitution within his first 100 days if elected.
Gombo Samandito Gombo of the People's United Front (CUF) represents one of Tanzania's oldest opposition parties, with historical strength, particularly in Zanzibar. His campaign focuses on combating corruption, promoting fiscal independence through domestic revenue mobilisation, and pledging major investments in agriculture and free social services.
Saum Hussein Rashid of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and Mwajuma Noty Mirambo of the Union for Multiparty Democracy (UMD) are notable as two of the few female presidential candidates in the 2025 contest, highlighting the limited but significant representation of women in Tanzania's political landscape.
Majalio Paul Kyara of the Sauti ya Umma Party (SAU) carries forward his party's tradition of contesting presidential elections, with SAU having fielded candidates in every general election since 2005.
Hassan Kisabya Almas of the National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA), Coster Jimmy Kibonde of the Makini Party (MAKINI), Abdul Juma Mluya of the Democratic Party (DP), and Kunje Ngombale Mwiru of the Alliance for African Farmers Party (AAFP) are among the smaller party candidates seeking to offer alternative platforms, though none are seen as major contenders.
Georges Gabriel Bussungu of the Tanzania Democratic Alliance (ADA-TADEA), Twalib Ibrahim Kadege of the United People's Democratic Party (UPDP), Doyo Hassan Doyo of the National League for Democracy (NLD), and Wilson Elias Mulumbe of the Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC) also bring their parties' distinct agendas to the race, representing minor opposition voices.
David Daud Mwaijojele of the Social Democratic Party (CCK) and Yustas Mbatina Rwamugira of the Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) round out the field, adding further diversity to the slate of candidates despite their limited political reach.
If re-elected, President Suluhu is expected to consolidate her leadership within CCM and continue her agenda focused on economic reform, gender inclusion, and international cooperation.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
