Tanzania presidential election 2025 Samia Suluhu overwhelming win
A major electoral decision in Tanzania has ended with the incumbent president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, securing a remarkable 97.6 percent of the vote in the presidential election held on 29 October 2025. While the result might appear unassailable at first glance, it comes amid serious concerns over the process and the context surrounding the vote.
The election took place in an atmosphere of deep political tension. Two of the most viable opposition candidates were excluded from running: one was disqualified over procedural grounds and the other, the leader of the main opposition party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) rival, was facing treason charges. The exclusion raised questions about how competitive the ballot really was and whether the playing field had been level.
In the days following the vote, widespread protests surged across major cities as demonstrators challenged the credibility of the election and demanded accountability. The security forces responded with force, and the government imposed curfews and restricted internet access. Credible reports indicate at least ten fatalities during the unrest, though opposition sources claim the death toll is far higher possibly in the hundreds. President Suluhu Hassan declared the protests “neither responsible nor patriotic” and reaffirmed her government’s commitment to security.
Despite these troubling indicators, the official turnout figure was reported at around 87 percent of registered voters. The electoral commission announced that President Suluhu Hassan’s 97.66 percent share of the vote translates to over 31.9 million ballots cast in her favour. The margin and turnout both stand out for being unusually high in the region’s modern electoral history and have amplified concerns about the legitimacy of the process.
This outcome carries significant implications for Tanzania’s democratic trajectory. Observers who once viewed Suluhu Hassan’s early presidency as a turn toward moderation are now warning of deeper authoritarian trends including suppression of the opposition, curbs on media freedom, and elevated state security usage. The ruling CCM party, which has dominated Tanzanian politics since independence, appears to have further tightened its grip, signalling that elections may increasingly serve to rubber-stamp incumbents rather than deliver genuine democratic choice.
