Tanzania Court Nullifies the Role of the District Executive Directors to act as Returning Officers during Elections

May 10, 2019
Dar es Salaam

The High Court of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam has on Friday, May 10, 2019, declared null and void provisions 7 and 7A of the National Elections Act (Cap.343 R.E. 2010). Prior to the judgment, these provisions allowed the District Executive Directors to be returning officers during elections contrary to Article 74 (14) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania which prohibits persons concerned with conducts of elections to join any political party. 

In 2018, Bob Chacha Wangwe filed a constitutional case No. 6 of 2018 at the High Court of Tanzania challenging the constitutionality of the said provisions. Legal and Human Rights Centre in collaboration with other actors initiated the move and provided technical support to the applicant aiming at the promotion of democracy in Tanzania.  

Most of District Executive Directors had unsuccessfully contested in various political positions before their appointment to office.