Political parties embrace technology for October elections

Designed to answer questions about the party’s 2025–2030 manifesto and Vision 2050, the tool aims to make CCM’s policies accessible to voters instantly, at the touch of a smartphone.

At its launch, UVCCM chairperson Mohamed Ali Mohamed, better known as ‘Kawaida’, described the chatbot as a powerful innovation for both civic education and campaigning.

“Our youth now have a direct tool to understand what we promised and how we are delivering,” he said. “It also shields them from misinformation at a time when truth in politics matters most.”

The chatbot’s debut is not only a milestone for CCM but also a sign of how technology is set to play a central role in the upcoming campaign season. Analysts say this is no longer optional: it is necessary.

While CCM, with its vast resources, can afford to develop sophisticated AI systems, smaller political parties are also turning to digital platforms to cut costs and widen reach.

The National League for Democracy (NLD), for instance, has already mapped out a campaign strategy centred on social media.

According to Secretary-General Doyo Hassan Doyo, the party will prioritise virtual rallies over costly gatherings.

“Immediately after receiving the nomination from INEC, my first rally will be through social media to explain to Tanzanians my policies and strategies, not a physical rally,” Mr Doyo said. “We understand that many Tanzanians use social media, so we must meet them there.”

NLD has prepared 1,000 young volunteers to run dedicated party pages, with the aim of reaching 10 million Tanzanians online. “We may not be using AI, but digital platforms give us a fighting chance. With 42 percent of Tanzanians using smartphones, we see this as our gateway to visibility,” he added.

For smaller parties struggling with budgets, the logic is clear: digital campaigns are cost-effective, scalable, and more in tune with youthful audiences.

“Planning for an open air rally requires at least Sh5 million, but using social media pages would require not more than Sh1 million and we will be reaching more voters instantly on our pages than having a rally in one place,” added Mr Doyo.

Nearly 70 percent of Tanzania’s population is under 35. Political analysts say this demographic reality is pushing parties to adopt digital-first strategies.

A political scientist, Dr Hamza Msofe, said CCM’s chatbot is strategically aimed at capturing youthful interest.

“This is more than a tactic. It’s CCM showing it can innovate to match the communication habits of young voters. The youth are on WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok—and now even chatbots.

Whoever speaks their language will win their trust,” he explained. Media analyst and digital strategist, Ms Judith Maro, agrees. She noted that Tanzanian youth increasingly consume information through short, interactive, and mobile-friendly formats.

“Parties that still rely solely on long speeches at stadiums risk losing ground. A five-minute TikTok explainer or an AI chatbot that answers questions 24/7 could do more to shape opinions than a three-hour rally,” she said.

Beyond engagement, experts say digital tools can also serve as defences against misinformation, a growing concern in Tanzania’s political space.

“Social media is a double-edged sword,” said Dr Msofe. “It connects people but also spreads falsehoods quickly. A verified chatbot or official digital channel gives voters somewhere reliable to fact-check. That’s critical during elections.”

Voters themselves appear to welcome this. At the CCM launch, 26-year-old law graduate Neema Msuya from Morogoro said the chatbot demystifies politics. “Manifestos are usually too long. This tool breaks it down. It gives us answers in real time and in a language we can understand,” she said.

Others, like boda-boda rider Joseph Magesa from Mwanza, see it as a campaign companion.

“In my work, politics is part of daily conversation. Now I can fact-check on the spot and campaign with confidence,” he said.

As campaigns officially open tomorrow (August 28), the race to harness technology will intensify. Large parties are likely to deploy more AI-driven innovations, while smaller outfits will lean on Facebook, WhatsApp groups, and community influencers.

But experts caution that technology is not a substitute for credibility. “Digital platforms can amplify messages, but the content must resonate,” said Ms Maro. “The youth want jobs, education, and accountability. If parties cannot back their online promises with action, technology alone will not save them.”