Elections in Tanzania were neither free nor fair, say MEPs

In a joint statement on general elections held on 29 October in Tanzania, leading MEPs urge all democratic partners to stand firm in defence of democracy and human rights.

“As Tanzanians went to the polls today, the international community watched with deep concern. What should have been a celebration of democracy, instead unfolded in an atmosphere of repression, intimidation, and fear. These elections cannot be regarded as free and fair. The fraud did not begin at the ballot box - it has been unfolding for months.

“Opposition leaders have been harassed and arrested, their parties have been excluded, and the civic space has been systematically dismantled. The arrest and ongoing trial for high treason of opposition leader Tundu Lissu - a man whose only “crime” was to demand free and fair elections - exemplifies the collapse of democratic values and judicial independence in Tanzania. Lissu must be released immediately and unconditionally.

“No election can be credible when the main opposition is silenced, when freedom of assembly and expression are denied, and when independent media are intimidated and censored. Reports of irregularities, obstruction of observers and targeted violence against critical voices have further eroded the integrity of this electoral process.

“We urge all democratic partners to stand firm in the defence of democracy and human rights. Silence is not neutrality - it is complicity.”

The statement is co-signed by:

David McAllister (EPP, Germany), Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs

Mounir Satouri (Greens/EFA, France), Chair of the European Parliament’s Sub-Committee on Human Rights

Merja Kyllönen (The Left, Finland), Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with the Pan-African Parliament