African Court lets Tanzania off the hook on elections law
Chairman of Chadema Freeman Mbowe (L) flashes a victory sign during party's first political rally after an imposed ban in 2016 was lifted at Furahisha Grounds in Mwanza, Tanzania on January 21, 2023. PHOTO | MICHAEL JAMSON | AFP
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights on June 13 dismissed the bulk of a petition brought by human rights activists against Tanzania challenging provisions of the National Elections Act that they claimed were discriminatory against non-civil servants and gave the president too much appointing power.
Of particular concern to the petitioners – Tanzanian national Bob Chacha Wangwe and the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) – was the system of appointing the director of elections and returning officers at poll stations.
