THE Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) has requested an urgent meeting with President Samia Suluhu Hassan to present collective concerns of key stakeholders over credibility, transparency and preparedness for the late October general election.

Boniface Mwabukusi, the TLS president, made this announcement at a news conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday, setting out the advocacy organisation’s position as part of findings from an extensive, months-long consultation process bringing together voices from across the political and civic spectrum for constructive dialogue.

“We consider it our legal and moral responsibility to ensure that issues affecting the democratic process are addressed transparently and collaboratively,” he said, crediting this initiative to the TLS mandate.

Established under the Tanganyika Law Society Act, Cap 307 (Revised 2019), TLS holds a statutory mandate to uphold legal ethics, human rights and the rule of law, he said, affirming that  in the light of growing political and electoral tensions, the bar association initiated a national engagement process earlier this year.

It held meetings with political parties, religious organisations, civil society groups, legal experts and “thought leaders,” he explained, noting that the consultations uncovered widespread concerns around fairness, preparedness and inclusivity in the upcoming elections.

Specifically, six critical areas were identified that require urgent attention which include voter education and civic awareness, transparency in the nomination of candidates and integrity in vote tallying and results transmission.

Others are legal frameworks governing election observation and monitoring, protection of fundamental political rights and mechanisms for addressing electoral disputes fairly and efficiently, he elaborated, stressing that the issues are not merely procedural but fundamental to public trust in the democratic process.

“We have witnessed increasing anxiety among citizens regarding the direction of our democracy,” he said. “Our objective is not to accuse or apportion blame but to provide constructive legal and policy recommendations that ensure a peaceful, just and credible election.”

He appealed to political actors to refrain from inflammatory language and to instead focus on meaningful engagement grounded in law and respect for democratic institutions.

“Lasting peace begins with justice,” he said. “We cannot achieve national unity if segments of our society feel excluded or unheard. TLS is committed to offering a platform where voices from all sides can be brought together in pursuit of common ground.”

He similarly demanded recognising legitimate concerns raised by all political actors, from those calling for electoral reforms to those advocating for voter turnout protection, underlining that such expressions are essential in a credible democratic set up.

Although TLS has not yet received a formal response from the President’s Office, the society remains optimistic that the request will be positively considered, he said, expressing confidence in the government’s willingness to listen, consult and act in the national interest.

“Time is of the essence,” he emphasised. “The window for meaningful reform is closing fast. But with political goodwill and a spirit of collaboration, it is still possible to address these challenges before Tanzanians head to the polls.”

TLS is reaffirming its commitment to strengthening constitutional governance and democratic accountability beyond the polls, vowing to further engage the government, the legislature, the judiciary and the wider public to promote a legal environment that supports peace, justice and equal participation, he added.