A powerful new movement has erupted across Tanzanian social media under the slogan “No Reforms, No Election” (NRNE), as citizens, celebrities, and even international visitors join a decentralized online campaign demanding comprehensive electoral reforms ahead of the country’s October 2025 general election. The campaign, officially launched by the opposition party Chadema on March 23, 2025, in Mbeya Region, calls for an overhaul of the electoral system, which the party claims is plagued by injustice, candidate disqualifications, lack of transparency, and manipulation by the National Electoral Commission.
The NRNE message has rapidly spread beyond political circles, now dominating comment sections on government, media, and private sector social media pages. Even unrelated posts—such as those by visiting Nigerian artist Chellaboi—have been overwhelmed by thousands of NRNE comments, prompting public confusion and further amplifying the campaign’s reach1.
This viral momentum has forced some public figures and institutions to disable comment sections, while platforms like TikTok struggle to moderate the flood of coordinated posts. Political analyst Ramadhani Manyeko has questioned the campaign’s spontaneity, suggesting possible digital engineering or manipulation, and called for the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) to enhance monitoring and digital literacy1.
Chadema leaders, however, see the campaign’s reach as proof of widespread public frustration and a collective demand for electoral change. Vice Chairman John Heche stated, “What’s happening online proves that people are aware and ready for change. They want an electoral system that reflects the genuine will of the people”
