As Tanzania’s election campaign drew to a close on Monday, opposition leader Salum Mwalimu held his final rally in Dar es Salaam, positioning himself as the key challenger to incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The upcoming election has been marked by the exclusion and imprisonment of several major opposition figures, paving the way for Mwalimu, of the CHAUMMA party, to emerge as the primary contender against the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi, or CCM, which has dominated Tanzanian politics for decades.

Mwalimu’s concluding rally drew significant attention amid an environment of increased government scrutiny and crackdown on political dissent, raising concerns among observers about the fairness and openness of the electoral process.

As voters prepare to head to the polls, the spotlight remains on Tanzania’s political landscape, shaped by these tensions and the challenges facing opposition voices.

We will continue to bring you updates on the election developments as they unfold. For now, that’s the latest from Tanzania on SNEWS TV.

Reported by Ehud Jones.