Tanzania bars opposition presidential candidate from polls

Authorities in the east African country have increasingly cracked down on the opposition, drawing criticism from international rights groups and monitors, ahead of the elections in October.

The Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT Wazalendo) is the third-largest party in Tanzania and had nominated Luhaga Mpina as its presidential candidate.

Mpina had collected the nomination forms from the Electoral Commission and was supposed to return them on Wednesday, but was blocked at the entrance.

His party said it had received a letter from the electoral body barring Mpina from returning the forms, because "he lacked qualifications".

The party labelled the decision "embarrassing" and said it "raises serious questions regarding the integrity, diligence, competence and independence of the Commission".

"This is a dangerous precedent for the future of our nation and our democracy," it said.

If the decision was allowed to stand, it would mean candidates could be "arbitrarily disqualified" at the direction of an individual, rather than through the legal system, the party argued.

The party said it would challenge the decision in court.

Campaigning is due to begin on Thursday, August 28.

Opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been in detention since April, awaiting trial on treason charges, which carry the death penalty.