Africa-Press – Tanzania. AHEAD of the General Election, the spotlight is not only on the political parties and their candidates but also on the nation’s ability to maintain its reputation as an island of peace and stability in a region where elections often trigger unrest.
The government, electoral authorities, and security agencies have made peace, transparency and fairness their rallying cries, promising citizens and the international community that the process will remain credible and inclusive.
For Tanzania, elections are more than a political exercise; they are a reaffirmation of a national identity rooted in unity.
Since the advent of multiparty democracy in 1992, the country has weathered numerous heated campaigns without descending into widespread chaos.
This legacy is not taken for granted. Authorities know that sustaining peace requires deliberate effort, constant vigilance, and the active cooperation of all players from institutions and security forces to political leaders and ordinary citizens.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sits at the heart of this mission.
Its Chairperson, Judge Jacobs Mwambegele, has been vocal about ensuring a level playing field for all contestants.
A month ago, at a consultative meeting with political parties in Dodoma, he emphasised that fairness in campaigns is not negotiable.
By regulating rallies, scheduling events, and monitoring compliance, INEC hopes to curb disputes that often arise when political competition collides with logistical chaos.
“INEC guarantees a fair campaign environment by ensuring that all parties hold their rallies according to schedules approved by the relevant committees at national, constituency, and ward levels,” Judge Mwambegele said, stressing that tolerance and civility must prevail.
His warning that political temperatures can easily overheat serves as a sobering reminder of the thin line between vibrant competition and destructive conflict. For many citizens, such reassurances matter deeply.
“Peace is what keeps Tanzania together,” said Ms Saida Ahmed, a food vendor in Mwanza.
“We can disagree po- litically, but we must not fight. My children’s future depends on the stability of this country.”
The Police Force has equally positioned itself as the guarantor of peace. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) David Misime has assured the public that officers are fully prepared to oversee campaigns and maintain calm through to the announcement of results.
Their approach is multifaceted: visible patrols at rallies, road safety enforcement during campaign travel and reflecting the changing times cyber monitoring to combat misinformation and inflammatory content on social media.
“Legal steps will be taken against those found spreading falsehoods or attempting to destabilise the country through social media,” DCP Misime warned, noting that peace today can be undermined as much by an online rumour as by a street confrontation.
His remarks highlight how the digital age has transformed electoral management, requiring vigilance both offline and online.
In Zanzibar, where the stakes of elections have his- torically run high, preparations have been particularly robust.
Police Commissioner CP Kombo Khamis Kombo revealed that strategies include visible and undercover patrols in both urban and rural areas, with special units on standby to respond to emergencies.
His appeal to citizens to act with dignity and wisdom reflects an understanding that peacekeeping cannot rest on state organs alone it must be a shared civic responsibility.
“The General Election is an important democratic event for the nation. Although the period comes with strong political competition, the Police in Zanzibar have prepared strategies to ensure citizens participate in campaigns and vote in an atmo- sphere of peace and stability,” he said.
For voters in Zanzibar, such assurances offer comfort. “We remember the past when elections brought tension,” said Mr Ali Juma, a fisherman from Unguja.
“If the Police are prepared and politicians remain calm, then we will go to vote without fear.”
Across the mainland, regional police commands are intensifying election-related training.
In Mwanza, Magu and Songwe, officers from the Police, Prisons, Fire and Rescue, and auxiliary forces have undergone special sessions designed to reinforce discipline, accountability and professionalism.
Mwanza Regional Police Commander, DCP Wilbrod Mutafungwa, was clear about the importance of integrity.
Addressing officers from Nyamagana and Ilemela districts, he urged them to act as role models, saying that cooperation among agencies is vital to preserving calm before, during and after the polls. These trainings are not mere formality.
They serve to remind security officers that elections are delicate moments when the slightest lapse can escalate tensions.
By sharpening their understanding of the law, enhancing coordination, and reinforcing unity, the forces demonstrate to citizens that democracy is safeguarded at every level not just in Dar es Salaam or Dodoma, but in every ward, village and street. The government has also taken a firm stance.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, in his budget winding-up speech earlier this year, underscored that peace, security and justice would remain guaranteed throughout the electoral process.
His assurance sends a message beyond Tanzania’s borders: that the country intends not only to conduct elections but to uphold its democratic credibility in the eyes of Africa and the world.
Experts argue that such commitments carry broader implications. “Tanzania’s elections matter to the region,” said Dr. Peter Mwakasala, a political scientist at the University of Dar es Salaam.
“If the polls re- main peaceful, it reinforces the idea that African democracies can mature without violence. But if peace is disrupted, it can affect investor confidence and regional stability.” Ordinary citizens, too, are being called upon to play their part.
Assistant Inspector of Police Mzamiru Hamza, speaking to residents in Lindi, urged them to participate peacefully and report anyone attempting to disrupt the process.
His appeal echoes a broader truth: elections are not solely about political elites. They are about the daily lives of mil- lions whose livelihoods, opportunities, and futures depend on decisions made in the ballot box. By safeguarding elections, citizens safeguard their own stability.
Western Urban Regional Commissioner Idrisa Kitwana Mustafa, speaking in Zanzibar, captured the sentiment clearly when he said: “The development we enjoy as a country comes from peace.”
This statement resonates in a nation where economic progress from agriculture to tourism, infra- structure to education relies on the calm environment Tanzania has carefully preserved over decades.
Yet the challenge remains: can Tanzania once again navigate the intensity of elections without succumbing to divisions?
Analysts argue that the groundwork being laid through training, regulation, cyber monitoring and community engage- ment offers a strong foundation.
But they also caution that the true test lies in the actions of political leaders and their supporters.
If rhetoric remains respectful, if grievances are channelled through lawful mechanisms, and if citizens exercise patience, then Tanzania’s democratic exercise will once again stand as an example in Africa.
“Sometimes people under- estimate the power of words during campaigns,” noted Ms Husna Tauka, a Morogoro farmer.
“But a leader’s speech can calm or inflame. That is why politicians must be very careful.” n the end, the October polls will be more than a contest between parties or personalities.
They will be a test of Tanzania’s maturity as a democracy and its resilience as a nation. Peace is not accidental; it is a conscious choice made by leaders, institutions, and citizens alike.
The joint efforts of INEC, security agencies, the government and ordinary Tanzanians reveal a shared determination: to ensure that the ballot strengthens unity rather than fractures it. As the countdown continues, Tanzania finds itself at a crossroads familiar yet critical.
The challenge is to translate promises into practice, to ensure that order is not only declared but delivered.
If successful, the 2025 elections will not only produce new leadership but reaffirm Tanzania’s enduring reputation as a nation where democracy and peace walk hand in hand.
For More News And Analysis About Tanzania Follow Africa-Press
