Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) has declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner of the October 29 presidential election, reporting that she secured 97.66% of the vote. The announcement renewed protests in several urban centres.

Observers noted that the election took place in an environment marked by restricted opposition participation and limits on campaigning.

Several major opposition figures were barred from competing ahead of the vote, a move criticised by civil-society groups and international observers. Rights organisations and local monitors reported clashes between protesters and security forces following the announcement, though official casualty figures have not been released and reporting varies across independent sources.

In the run-up to the vote, Tundu Lissu, leader of the main opposition Chadema party, was jailed on treason charges that supporters say are politically motivated, while other opposition candidates were disqualified. Chadema on November 2 said the election lacked legitimacy.

“Chadema strongly rejects the so-called election results announced by the National Electoral Commission. These results have no basis in reality, as the truth is that no genuine election took place in Tanzania,” the party said in a statement posted on social media.
“The countrywide demonstrations are clear proof that citizens did not take part in what is being called an election, and that they reject anyone emerging from this flawed electoral process,” it added.

The Tanzania Elections Watch coalition said the vote was non-competitive, citing the exclusion of viable challengers and the detention of activists ahead of polling. The NEC did not address these concerns in its announcement.

Protests were reported in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Mwanza, with local monitoring organisations documenting arrests and temporary internet restrictions. The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) urged authorities to halt arrests of peaceful protesters and called for dialogue to reduce tensions.

Hassan, 65, who originally assumed office in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, has since consolidated power within the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), which maintains strong control of state institutions.

The East African Community (EAC) Election Observation Mission, in a preliminary statement issued on October 31, said it had observed that “the pre-election environment did not provide an equal opportunity for all political actors.” It added that “restrictions on public assembly and the detention of opposition members limited the competitiveness of the electoral process.”

Several diplomatic missions have called for restraint, transparency regarding detainees, and political engagement to prevent further escalation. The government has urged citizens to accept the NEC ruling and maintain stability.

“The EU is deeply concerned by the violence, the internet shutdown, and reports of irregularities in the electoral process in certain areas,” said European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in a statement.

“Reliable reports indicating a significant number of deaths and serious injuries are extremely troubling. The EU urges the authorities to exercise maximum restraint in order to preserve human lives.”