Tanzania’s newly elected Members of Parliament have convened for their first sitting in Dodoma — marking a historic moment as the country enters a new legislative era without a formally recognized opposition following one of the most chaotic elections in recent years.
The National Assembly now comprises 396 members, including 270 constituency MPs, 115 Special Seats MPs, and the Attorney General as an ex-officio member. Of these, 113 of the Special Seats MPs belong to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), while two have been allocated to the rising opposition party CHAUMMA, signaling the party’s growing but still modest presence on the national stage.
The development comes amid the near-total absence of opposition representation. Out of 396 lawmakers, only 12 belong to opposition parties — 10 directly elected and two through Special Seats — while elections in two constituencies remain pending. This leaves the Parliament overwhelmingly dominated by CCM, which swept almost all elective seats in the October 29 polls.
No Official Opposition Bench
Under Tanzania’s Standing Orders, an official opposition can only be recognized if it commands at least 12.5% of all seats in the House — roughly 49 MPs in the current setup. With the opposition holding barely 3% of the seats, this threshold remains far out of reach. As a result, this Parliament — Tanzania’s 13th — opens without an official opposition camp for the first time since multiparty democracy was restored in the 1990s.
Elections Marked by Controversy
The October elections, which saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan declared the winner in a landslide, were marred by allegations of disqualification of key opposition parties, voter intimidation, and restricted political space. The main opposition party, CHADEMA, was barred from participating after failing to meet new nomination requirements, and several of its leaders were detained during the campaign period.
International observers and local civil society groups described the election as “deeply flawed,” citing the lack of genuine competition and the heavy-handed use of state machinery. Protests erupted in several towns following the results, with police responding with arrests and roadblocks.
Consolidation of Power
Analysts say the sweeping CCM victory has consolidated President Hassan’s grip on power but also raises questions about the future of parliamentary oversight and the health of Tanzania’s democracy. With the legislature dominated by one party, critics fear that the balance of power between the Executive and the Legislature could further erode.
“Without a structured opposition, Parliament risks turning into a ceremonial arm of the government rather than a check on it,” warned one political analyst based in Dar es Salaam.
CHAUMMA’s Small but Symbolic Breakthrough
For CHAUMMA, which secured two Special Seats, the moment marks a symbolic breakthrough — the party’s first formal entry into the National Assembly. Its leaders say they intend to use the platform to push for electoral reforms and represent the voices of Tanzanians who feel politically sidelined.
Still, with CCM holding an overwhelming majority, CHAUMMA’s influence is expected to remain limited in shaping national policy.
As the 13th Parliament begins its business, the focus now shifts to whether MPs can rise above partisan politics to deliver on governance, accountability, and national development. Civil society groups are urging the new lawmakers to prioritize issues such as the economy, youth unemployment, and transparency in government contracts.
For now, Tanzania stands at a crossroads — balancing the promise of political stability under one dominant party with the risks of diminished democratic space and weak legislative oversight.
