Tanzania’s electoral authorities have officially declared incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner of the national election, awarding her a new five-year term with an overwhelming majority of the vote. The announcement follows a week marked by significant civil unrest and allegations of a systematic crackdown on political dissent in the lead-up to the polls.
The result solidifies the rule of the long-dominant Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. President Hassan, who first assumed office in 2021, faced only minor opposition candidates in the final race. Her principal challengers were barred from participating by the electoral commission, decisions that ignited widespread public anger.
Violent protests erupted across several cities on election day. Witnesses reported demonstrators destroying campaign materials, setting fires, and clashing with security forces, who responded with tear gas and live ammunition. Conflicting casualty figures have emerged, with opposition groups claiming significant loss of life, while government officials have dismissed these reports as grossly inflated.
International human rights organizations had previously raised alarms about the political climate ahead of the vote. They documented a pattern of alleged abuses, including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and the suppression of critical voices. A major opposition party, which had advocated for an election boycott pending electoral reforms, was disqualified from the process.
The scale of the victory is notable within the East African region, where such margins are rare. The government has consistently rejected criticism of its conduct, defending the electoral process and its human rights record. The outcome grants President Hassan a firm mandate to lead the nation of approximately 68 million people for the coming term.