Tanzania Election: Samia Suluhu Hassan Wins with 98% Amidst Violence & Boycotts

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has secured a decisive re-election victory in Tanzania.

The country’s electoral commission declared the incumbent president the winner following the October 29 vote.

Ms Hassan won with nearly 98 per cent of the votes. However, the election was severely marred by violence and civil unrest across major cities.

Background to the Vote

Ms Suluhu Hassan became Tanzania’s first female president in 2021. She ascended to the role after the sudden death of her predecessor, John Magufuli. Analysts suggested that Ms Hassan sought an emphatic win to cement her political position.

The vote itself drew international criticism regarding its fairness. Several opposition parties were reportedly either barred from participating or chose to boycott the vote.

These parties cited widespread harassment, arrests, and severe restrictions on their campaign activities.

The main opposition party, CHADEMA, was barred from the election. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, was charged with treason.

The electoral commission also disqualified the candidate for the opposition party ACT-Wazalendo. These actions meant Ms Hassan faced only minor parties in the contest.

“This was not a competitive election. The opposition was either silenced or sidelined. The outcome was never in doubt.”

Widespread Unrest and Security Crackdown

Protests erupted during the voting process and continued as the results were being tallied. Demonstrators took to the streets across the country.

Witnesses reported seeing some demonstrators tearing down banners. Protesters accused the government of orchestrating a “sham election”.

Security forces responded by dispersing demonstrators using tear gas. Following the unrest, authorities imposed a nationwide curfew for several nights.

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Access to the internet was also restricted across the nation.

The protests led to severe clashes between security forces and the public. Human rights groups and opposition activists claimed hundreds were killed or injured.

The main opposition party, CHADEMA, claimed that “around 700” people had been killed. The government dismissed these figures as “gross exaggerations”.

Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo denied allegations that excessive force had been used. He stated that the government had “no figures” on any deaths among protesters.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a thorough and impartial investigation into all allegations of excessive use of force.

Official Results and the Path Forward

Tanzania’s electoral commission announced that President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured 97.66 per cent of the vote. The commission reported that Ms Hassan received more than 31.9 million votes.

Key Statistic: Voter turnout was officially recorded as nearing 87 per cent of the country’s 37.6 million registered voters.

The electoral commission stated that "The people of Tanzania have chosen continuity and stability”. Supporters of the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), celebrated the victory. CCM claimed a decisive win across all regions.

President Hassan is expected to be sworn in soon for her second term. Her administration has promised stability and economic growth.

She campaigned on plans to reopen the country to international investors. However, observers say her second term will test her ability to balance economic progress with growing calls for political reforms.