DAR ES SALAAM – Under fire President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of Tanzania’s controversial presidential election, securing another term amid days of unrest across the country that have claimed the lives of hundreds.
The electoral commission said Samia, of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, won 97.66% of the vote — about 31.9 million of roughly 32 million ballots cast Wednesday.
Turnout was nearly 87% of Tanzania’s 37.6 million registered voters. Electoral chief Jacobs Mwambegele announced the results Saturday.
Opposition groups and international observers have raised concerns over transparency and post-election violence, which they say has killed and injured hundreds.
An ongoing internet shutdown has made independent verification difficult. Authorities have extended a nationwide curfew and described the unrest as “isolated incidents.”
Protests erupted Friday in Dar es Salaam and other cities, with demonstrators tearing down posters and clashing with police. Most protesters are young, denouncing the election as unfair and criticizing the exclusion or jailing of key opposition figures.
In Zanzibar, CCM incumbent Hussein Mwinyi won nearly 80% of the vote. Opposition parties there alleged “massive fraud,” and Mwinyi was sworn in Saturday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over reported deaths and injuries, calling on all sides to prevent further escalation. The UK, Canada and Norway issued similar statements.
Tundu Lissu of Chadema and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo were barred from running. Sixteen smaller parties participated but have little support. CCM and its predecessor TANU have dominated Tanzanian politics since independence.
Samia became Tanzania’s first female president in 2021 after John Magufuli’s death and now faces the challenge of restoring calm amid widespread domestic and international concern.
