CHADEMA banned from October general elections in Tanzania

Tanzania's main opposition party has been barred from participating in this year's election, days after its leader was charged with treason. Ramadhani Kailima, director of elections at the Independent National Elections Commission, said that Chadema had failed to sign a code of conduct document that was due on Saturday, meaning the party was disqualified from October's elections. Last week, Chadema's leader Tundu Lissu was arrested and charged with treason following a rally in southern Tanzania at which he called for electoral reforms. The CCM party, which has governed Tanzania since 1977, is expected to retain power following the latest developments. Earlier on Saturday, Chadema had said that it would not participate in a code of conduct signing ceremony, as part of its drive for voting reforms.