Tanzania Presidential Poll: Hassan Takes Nearly All Votes, Protests Follow
In a stunning but controversial result, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared winner of the recent election with nearly 98% of the vote. The result comes after her major rivals were barred from running and the country was shaken by protests and a security crackdown. It’s a scenario not unlike other African elections where the ruling party claims near-total victory and dissent rises behind the scenes.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been officially re-elected in Tanzania, securing about 97.6% of the vote according to the national electoral commission. The election, held on October 29 2025, marks her second term in office.
However, that landslide win did not come under typical democratic conditions. Two of the country’s strongest opposition candidates were either jailed or disqualified ahead of the vote, leaving Hassan with little real competition.
Many Tanzanians had expected a smooth re-election for the ruling party, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), which has governed since independence. Still, the scale of this victory raised eyebrows, especially as protests broke out across major cities—most notably in Dar es Salaam—over what citizens decried as an unfair process.
The unrest turned violent in spots. Witness reports and rights groups say police used live ammunition and tear-gas, and at least ten deaths have been confirmed by the UN as a result of the post-election clashes. Some opposition figures claim far higher casualty numbers.
Turnout figures also drew skepticism. Officially, nearly 87% of registered voters cast ballots—a high mark for Tanzania—despite disparate reports of empty polling stations and disruptions.
In her victory speech, Hassan called for national unity and stability, warning that security forces would be used to protect the country’s peace and infrastructure. She framed the result as a mandate to carry on her work.
Critics argue the election was less about competition and more about legitimizing the CCM’s continued dominance. Analysts say it reflects a tilt toward electoral authoritarianism—ballots held, but meaningful choice constrained.
For Tanzania’s citizens, the challenge ahead includes reconciling the official narrative of a decisive win with real concerns about political space, dissent and whether their voices truly counted.
Conclusion
Despite a sweeping victory for Samia Suluhu Hassan, the legitimacy of her win will continue to be debated both inside Tanzania and abroad. With major rivals sidelined and protests quashed, the narrative now shifts from celebration to scrutiny. As the world watches, Tanzania’s next chapter will depend not just on votes, but on the freedom and fairness of its politics—a tension seen in many nations striving for stability and democracy.