Dodoma: President Samia Suluhu Hassan has won the Tanzania election with more than 97 percent of the vote, according to official results announced on early November 1.
The result marks one of the region’s rarest landslide victories and extends the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party’s decades-long control over the country.
The October 29 election has been marred by allegations of irregularities and violence. Opposition groups and human rights advocates have raised concerns, describing the vote as neither free nor fair. Demonstrations erupted across major cities, prompting security forces to intervene and the deployment of military personnel to assist police in maintaining order.
Internet access across the East African nation has been intermittent since the polls, affecting communication and election monitoring efforts. Hassan faced 16 candidates from smaller parties after two major opposition figures were either detained or barred from contesting.
Tundu Lissu, leader of the Chadema opposition group, has been imprisoned on treason charges following his demand for electoral reforms, while Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo was disqualified from running.
Rights organisations including Amnesty International and the International Crisis Group have criticised the pre-election climate, citing reports of arbitrary arrests, disappearances, and restrictions on media and online platforms.
A United Nations human rights panel in June reported more than 200 cases of enforced disappearance since 2019, describing the situation as alarming.
Analysts have said that the outcome consolidates Hassan’s power but raises new questions about Tanzania’s democratic trajectory. The landslide victory underscores the dominance of the ruling party in a political landscape where opposition movements continue to face increasing pressure.
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