Tanzania’s electoral commission has officially declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner of the October 29 general election, securing an overwhelming 98 percent of the vote amid widespread reports of unrest and opposition boycotts.
The announcement came after a tense weekend marked by violent protests in several cities, where demonstrators denounced what they called a “sham election.” Security forces were deployed to disperse crowds, with rights groups alleging dozens to hundreds of casualties, though the government dismissed those claims as “exaggerated.”
Opposition leaders said their parties were barred, harassed, or denied registration, accusing authorities of stifling dissent ahead of the vote. Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), the long-ruling party, claimed sweeping victories across all regions, calling the outcome a sign of “unity and progress.”
“The people of Tanzania have chosen continuity and stability,” the National Electoral Commission said in a statement, adding that peace had been restored following post-election tensions.
Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa urged calm, saying, “The situation is under control, and citizens should respect the law.”
However, international media, including Reuters and The Guardian, reported scenes of chaos in Dar es Salaam and other major cities as protests flared during the vote count. Witnesses said security forces used tear gas and live rounds to break up crowds.
President Samia’s near-unanimous victory has drawn mixed reactions both at home and abroad. Supporters flooded the streets waving CCM flags and chanting her name, while critics questioned the credibility of the poll, citing the absence of genuine opposition competition.
“This was not a competitive election,” one regional analyst told Reuters. “The opposition was silenced long before the ballots were cast.”
Samia, who became Tanzania’s first female president in 2021 following the death of John Magufuli, campaigned on promises of economic revival, stability, and foreign investment. Her administration has sought to re-engage international partners while maintaining firm control over domestic politics.
Analysts say her upcoming term will test her ability to balance economic reform with demands for democratic freedoms and human rights protections.
President Samia is expected to be sworn in for her second term in the coming days.