High Court Grants Leave to Challenge Registrar’s delayed action to Register Independent Peoples’ Party

Dar es Salaam,

On 22nd January 2026, the High Court of Tanzania (Dar es Salaam Zone Registry) has granted leave to file a substantive case of Miss. Vyonheaven Exaud Urima and Mr. Andrew Fadhili Bomani Misc. Civil Cause No. 8386 of 2025, challenging the decision of the Registrar of Political Parties to act on a pending application to register a new political party, the Independent People’s Party (IPP) since 3rd May 2023.

This ruling presents a significant procedural victory and affirms the role of the judiciary in safeguarding constitutional and administrative justice. Moreover, it allows the litigants to proceed with a substantive hearing of the case where the issue of legality, rationality and procedural fairness of the Registrar’s actions will be examined.

Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) welcomes this ruling as it paves the way to access to justice for democratic rights and political pluralism in the United Republic of Tanzania.

This application raises critical constitutional and administrative law as it affirms the judicial oversight over the exercise of administrative power in matters that directly affect civic and political rights particularly on limiting freedom of association and participation in governance as stipulated in Article 20 and 21 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, 1977.

LHRC will keep you informed on subsequent steps.

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