Tanzania has voted.

Tanzania has voted. The situation before the election. Incumbent Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM or CHADEMA) party is expected to win another landslide victory amid growing concerns about the decline of democracy. Four hundred members of the National Assembly and local councils were also elected. With the opposition parties Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo barred from the election, President Samia Suluhu Hassan faces virtually no competition, thus extending the CCM's six-decade rule. Despite promises of reform and a new electoral framework, observers criticize the continued heavy control of the executive branch over the process. Low voter enthusiasm and declining turnout reflect the population's deep disappointment. At the same time, Tanzania's Freedom House rating has fallen to "Not Free," indicating increased repression and restricted civil liberties. Given the declining level of democracy, many observers view the elections as mere formalities intended to solidify the CCM's unbroken hold on power. The Opposition Tanzania's opposition landscape is being reshaped by party defections: CHADEMA is losing support due to leadership crises and state repression, while ACT-Wazalendo, with its high-profile new recruits, is attempting to position itself as the CCM's main challenger. However, with CHADEMA barred from the elections and ACT-Wazalendo's internal conflicts remaining unresolved, the CCM's path to a seventh consecutive term appears unchallenged. The 2025 elections could thus seal Tanzania's descent into "electoral authoritarianism." Critics, due to the exclusion of key rivals, described the election as more of a "coronation" than a genuine campaign. Voter turnout was strikingly low, particularly among young people, which they attributed to widespread apathy and limitations on civic participation. The main opposition party, Chadema, was barred from participating in the April 2025 elections for refusing to sign a government-drafted code of conduct. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, was charged with treason and barred from running. Another prominent candidate, Luhaga Mpina of the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo), was also disqualified due to procedural errors. This left Hassan without any significant opposition; only smaller parties participated in the election campaign. The Election Protests erupted in Tanzania's capital as President Samia Suluhu Hassan faced voters in an election from which key opposition leaders had been barred. The election offers Ms. Hassan an opportunity to consolidate her authority, four years after rising from vice president to president when her predecessor, John Magufuli, died unexpectedly during the coronavirus pandemic. Violent demonstrations ensued. President Samia Suluhu Hassan is likely to further consolidate her power in the country amid rapidly escalating repression and the exclusion of her opponents from the election. Videos on social media show protesters throwing stones at police and a gas station being set on fire. According to the global monitoring service NetBlocks, internet outages occurred nationwide. "Live network data confirms a nationwide disruption, thus confirming reports of a digital blackout." Reports from polling stations indicate irregularities, including allegations of ballot destruction or burning in some areas. The National Electoral Commission (INEC) reported improvements in biometric voter verification, but international observers from organizations such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) raised concerns about partisan interference and limited access to voter education. After the Election Shops are closed. The immediate aftermath was marked by significant unrest, highlighting the population's deep dissatisfaction with the electoral process. On election day and into the night, widespread demonstrations took place in major cities such as Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mbeya, and Tunduma, with protesters clashing with police. Demonstrators threw stones at security forces, set fire to a gas station and local government buildings, and chanted loudly for electoral reform. There are alarming reports of police using live ammunition against young protesters, resulting in injuries and fears of casualties. The protests continued despite a nationwide curfew imposed at 6:00 p.m. local time in Dar es Salaam and other areas. A nationwide internet shutdown was also implemented, severely restricting information sharing and access to social media. This was criticized by organizations such as Amnesty International and NetBlocks as a tool for suppressing dissent, with full access reportedly limited to government officials. Public transportation was suspended in the affected cities, and the government instructed civil servants and private sector employees to work from home starting October 30. The situation remains unclear and tense. The chairman of the National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to address the nation shortly regarding the preliminary results. Although Hassan's victory is considered a foregone conclusion, the unrest highlights growing frustration with governance and calls for reform across East Africa. As of October 30, 2025, the official results had not yet been released by the Independent National Election Commission (INEC). However, initial indications and expert analysis suggest a clear victory for President Hassan; results are expected within the next three days. There are also human rights concerns. Leading up to and during the elections, there were reports of 83 enforced disappearances of opposition members, arrests for incitement and treason, and a climate of fear maintained through media censorship and self-censorship. The US Embassy issued a recommendation for its staff to remain indoors.

@https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/oped/why-chadema-demo-shows-that-tanzania-has-turned-the-corner-4509264 @https://africa.com/tanzanias-2025-election-a-one-party-race-in-disguise/ @https://www.digest.tz/tanzania-elections-2025-political-realignments/ @https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/world/africa/tanzania-presidential-election.html @https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/29/tanzania-election-president-samia-suluhu-hassan-poised-to-retain-power