The treason charges and exclusion of the main opposition attracted attention before the October polls were conducted in Tanzania.

Tanzania’s Election Commission has banned Chadema, the main opposition party, from participating in presidential and parliamentary elections later this year.

The Independent National Election Commission (INEC) announced the decision on Saturday, noting that the party failed to sign a mandatory code of conduct agreement in the polls expected to be conducted in October.

“No party that has not signed a code of conduct will participate in the general election,” said Ramadhani Kailima, the commission’s election director.

Chadema did not respond immediately.

Announcement comes a few days after Chadema leader Tundu Lissu Accused of treasonAccused of inciting rebellion and attempting to prevent the election from continuing.

Prosecutors claimed he urged the public to take action against the vote, although he did not allow the appeal. The charges are likely to be sentenced to death.

Former presidential candidate Lissu, longtime critic of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and its leader, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, is seeking a second term.

Chadma has warned that it will resist polls unless meaningful election reform is introduced.

Earlier on Saturday, the party confirmed it would not attend the signing ceremony of the election as a code and described the move as part of a broader campaign to promote changes in the election.

Chadema’s disqualification and treason against its leaders are expected to raise new questions about the democratic situation in East Africa.

Human rights groups and opposition groups accuse the government of cutting its dissent on an unexplained pattern of kidnapping and killing of political activists.

President Hassan’s administration denied any role in these so-called abuses and insisted on its commitment to safeguarding human rights. The CCM repeatedly refused to accuse the opposition or manipulate the election process.