The Tanzanian authorities have reversed a decision to disqualify many opposition candidates from local elections on 24 November.
Minister of State Selemani Jafo said leniency would be shown to allow previously barred candidates to stand.
Read:Tanzania MPs to use tablets for parliamentary business
A number had been told they would not be allowed to take part due to spelling mistakes and other errors on official forms.
Several opposition parties – including the biggest, Chadema – had announced that they would boycott the local elections, condemning them as a mockery of the democratic process.
Read:Tanzanian high court upholds minimum marriage age of 18