Tanzanian President wins highly disputed elections with more than 97% of votes

Mapaballo Borotho

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has won the country’s elections with more than 97% of votes after violent protests erupted nationwide.
Her main opponents were barred from running, prompting criticism that the vote was not a fair contest.
Authorities have not released the number of people killed or injured as tensions remain high across the country.

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has won the country’s elections with more than 97% of votes, following the deadly protests that rocked the African country.

Official results were announced on Saturday. Hassan’s two main opponents were both prevented from running for President, leaving her unopposed.

This as, Tundu Lissu, leader of the Chadema opposition group has been behind bars for months, charged with treason after he called for electoral reforms that he claimed were a perquisite for free and fair elections.

Another opposition figure, Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo group, was barred from running.

Hassan, who became the first female President in Africa in 2021appeared at an event in the administrative capital, Dodoma, to receive the winner’s certificate from electoral authorities. In remarks afterward, she said it was notable that Tanzanians voted overwhelmingly for a female leader.

Her win is likely to amplify the concerns of critics, opposition groups and others who said the election in Tanzania was not a contest but a coronation.

The October 29 elections were marred with violence as residents took to the streets to protest the poll and stop the counting of votes. Meanwhile, internet connectivity has been on and off in the country, disrupting travel and other activities.

The protests also delayed the reopening of universities, which has been set for 03 November 2025.

However, there was a tense calm in the streets of Dar es Salaam, the capital of the East African nation, on Saturday. Security forces manning roadblocks asked to see the identity cards of those who went out.

Tanzanian authorities have not said how many people were killed or injured in the violence.