Tanzania will hold its general elections on October 29, even as concerns mount over the exclusion of the main opposition party and the imprisonment of its leader, casting a shadow over the legitimacy of the process.

The Independent National Electoral Commission confirmed the date on Saturday and announced that candidate nominations will take place from August 9 to 27.

The polls will cover the presidency, parliament, and ward-level seats, but the ongoing disqualification of the opposition party Chadema has triggered accusations of political suppression.

The party was barred earlier this year after rejecting an electoral code of conduct that it said lacked necessary reforms.

Chadema’s leader, Tundu Lissu, has been in custody since April and is facing treason charges, which carry the possibility of a death sentence.

His arrest and the party’s exclusion have sparked criticism from rights groups and political observers, who accuse the government of manipulating the electoral environment to silence dissent.

"We call upon all election stakeholders to participate in the election and adhere to the laws and regulations," said electoral commission chair Jacobs Mwambegele during a meeting with political representatives in Dodoma. He said the country currently has 37.65 million registered voters.

Although the last general election was held in 2020, this year’s exercise has drawn increased scrutiny due to the government’s handling of the opposition.

Chadema claims its members have been targets of killings, abductions, and systematic exclusion from previous elections. The party insists that it will not recognize a process it believes is flawed and unjust.

The electoral commission has remained firm on the ban, while urging political players to engage within the legal framework.

But critics argue that holding elections without a credible and competitive opposition undermines democracy and raises doubts about the outcome's integrity.

As the campaign period nears, attention remains on whether the political space will open up, or if Tanzania’s election will proceed under the weight of mounting authoritarianism.