THERE are mixed signals on what has been identified by various observers as a desire for change within the leading opposition party that brought into office former Chadema Mainland vice chairman Tundu Lissu. The new leader needs to replicate in the wider context what he was given in Chadema, the willingness for transparent elections by veteran national chairman Freeman Mbowe. He has scolded reconciliation but he needs it to make any headway.

Paradoxically, the new top opposition leader has maintained a tough line within the party and as relates to the wider political environment, while success on his part hinges on his adversaries doing the opposite. Given the intensity of his onslaught on the former chairman, had the latter decided to play the same tune on the current chairman, the polling exercise would have been derailed. Opposition parties have been known to split on account of frontally opposed loyalties to incumbent chairman and a rival.

As the ruling party has a relatively new line up in top leadership, a number of things in its outlook could also change, but no one expects an altogether different orientation, just some fine tuning. Despite all he has said to the contrary, the new Chadema leader will quite soon be aware that what his followers need and the party cadre generally is an opening into elected functions, and notably in the legislature. What he has described as a historic election needs to be complemented by a historic general election where the party gets more MPs than earlier polls, not historic riots.

The late former president Benjamin Mkapa once told foreign diplomats in relation to accusations of corruption in various dealings involving public agencies, that ‘it takes two to tango.’ This will be even more so when it comes to organising credible and transparent elections later this year as the Chadema leader will have to go half of the way to meeting the ruling party, or putting it differently, the poll supervision agencies. Sharp and hostile language risks derailing political will on the other side, if consensus in the ruling party is built to take ‘major precautions.’

What is apparent is that the altered leadership in the ruling party is likely to give the opposition more breathing space than has been the case for years, even in the wake of pronouncing the reconciliation policy. Many in CCM were far from enthusiastic about being fair and just with the opposition, seeing it as needless risk to stability, but some correction is probably being considered, even by looking at altered intraparty nomination rules. Preference votes will be conducted by a bigger number of delegates to ward and district nomination meetings. The real test will be after the next parliament, as both Union and Isles top posts will be vacant.

At the moment, the clear wish for transparency in ward councilor and constituency nomination processes in CCM promises a more transparent conduct in the general election, contrary to 2019, 2020 and 2024 local government polls.  There has not been a formal declaration in that regard but President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in her capacity as party chairperson, emphasized the need for observing high ethical standards during elections, and promised transparent polls in New Year sherry party remarks to foreign envoys. The whole country needs this promise to be upheld, and even the new Chadema leaders could count on it.