Samia Suluhu Hassan Secures 98% Vote in Controversial Tanzania Election Amid Unrest

Sat Nov 01 2025 13:28:21 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of the presidential election with 98% of the votes, amidst widespread unrest and allegations of electoral fraud.

In a fiercely contested election, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been announced as the winner, claiming an overwhelming 98% of the vote. However, the announcement comes amid significant unrest, with reports of hundreds dead following clashes between protesters and security forces. The election has raised concerns over transparency and the suppression of opposition voices, drawing widespread condemnation from international observers and local rights groups.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of Tanzania's presidential election, securing another term in office amid days of unrest across the country.

According to the electoral commission, Samia won 98% of the votes from the 32 million ballots cast in Wednesday's election.

International observers have expressed concern over the lack of transparency and the widespread turmoil that has reportedly left hundreds dead and many injured.

The nationwide internet shutdown is making it difficult to verify the death toll. The government has attempted to downplay the violence and extended a curfew to reduce unrest.

I hereby announce Samia Suluhu Hassan as the winner of the presidential election under the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, Jacobs Mwambegele, the electoral chief, stated.

In Tanzania's semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar, CCM's incumbent president, Hussein Mwinyi, won close to 80% of the vote, although opposition claimed this was marred by massive fraud.

Protests erupted in the port city of Dar es Salaam and elsewhere, with demonstrators referencing the election as unfair. Young protesters have led calls for change, accusing the government of undermining democracy through the ongoing suppression of opposition leaders.

A spokesperson from the opposition Chadema party estimated that around 700 people had died in clashes following the election, while some diplomatic sources suggested at least 500 fatalities.

Tundu Lissu, one of the main opposition contenders, remains in custody on treason charges while another candidate was barred from competing due to legal technicalities. Thus, fringe parties with only minimal public support participated instead.

Rights groups have criticized the government, highlighting incidents of torture and killings among opposition figures. The ruling party CCM is the longest-standing political entity in the country, holding power since independence.

Samia came into power in 2021 as Tanzania's first female president following the death of John Magufuli and has faced criticism over political repression during her tenure.