Tanzania announces date for dissolution of local government councils

Dodoma. As the country heads towards the 2025 General Election, the government has set June 20, 2025, as the official date for the dissolution of all local government councils.

The announcement was made today Sunday, June 15, by the Minister of State in the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Governments (TAMISEMI), Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa, while issuing a formal statement regarding the end of the tenure of the local councils and the cessation of standing committee meetings.

Citing Section 178 of the Local Government (District Authorities) Act, Cap. 287, Mr Mchengerwa explained that the law grants him authority to dissolve the local councils seven days before the National Assembly is dissolved ahead of a general election.

“Before the general election is held, both legislative bodies—the Parliament and the councillors’ boards—must be dissolved,” he noted.

According to the minister, the Parliament is expected to be officially dissolved on June 27, 2025. In alignment with this, and using his legal mandate, Mr Mchengerwa has already signed two notices for the dissolution of local councils in preparation for the elections.

These are the Notice for the Dissolution of Councillors’ Boards in District Authorities, 2025 and the Notice for the Dissolution of Councils in Urban Authorities, 2025.

“The notices, which will soon be published in the Government Gazette, specify that all council and committee meetings must cease seven days prior to the dissolution of Parliament,” Mr Mchengerwa said.

He stressed that this means all such meetings must come to an end by June 20, 2025.

“Holding any council or committee meetings after this date will be a violation of the issued notices, and the executive director of the respective council—namely the director—will be held accountable,” he added.

He further reiterated that President Samia Suluhu Hassan is scheduled to dissolve Parliament on June 27, and that all councils must officially be disbanded by June 20.

Following the dissolution, all council committees will be suspended from June 20 until new councillors are elected.

“During this transitional period, the day-to-day operations of the councils will be overseen by the council directors, who will serve as interim chairpersons, assisted by departmental heads serving as committee members,” Mr Mchengerwa explained.

He cautioned that directors will not be authorised to initiate new projects or investments, or to alter any previously approved initiatives or decisions made by the councils before their dissolution.

“Any abuse of power or failure to discharge administrative duties in line with these notices will render the director personally liable under the law,” he warned.

The minister also noted that council directors will be required to submit reports on decisions made and the conduct of management meetings during the interim period to the first meeting of the new councillors after the elections.

Mr Mchengerwa called upon all citizens, government officials, and council staff to fully support the transition period by adhering to principles of good governance, public service ethics, and compliance with existing laws, regulations, and procedures.