2025 Tanzania Elections

The 2025 Tanzania elections were held on 29 October 2025 to elect the country’s president members of parliament and local officials. In the elections the incumbent Revolutionary Party (Chama Cha Mapinduzi – CCM) candidate and current President Samia Suluhu Hassan ran for re-election. The Independent Electoral Commission announced that Hassan had won 97.66 percent of the votes and was elected for a second term.

On election day and in the aftermath protests erupted in various cities across the country due to the banning of major opposition parties. Clashes occurred between security forces and demonstrators in numerous towns including Dar es Salaam and a curfew was imposed.

Election Day

The Tanzania Electoral Commission announced that the 2025 general elections would be held on Wednesday 29 October 2025. Voting commenced nationwide at 07.00 and concluded at 16.00 local time. The Electoral Commission stated that results would be announced within three days.

The elections were conducted at the presidential parliamentary and local government levels. Voters cast ballots to elect members of the 400-seat parliament and the president and council members of the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago.

The Independent Electoral Commission stated that the elections were conducted according to the “first-past-the-post” system as stipulated by law. Under this system the candidate receiving the most votes wins the election.

Security measures were heightened on election day. Albert Chalamila District Commissioner of Dar es Salaam declared that security forces were prepared to maintain public order. Authorities announced they would prevent illegal demonstrations and called on the public to remain calm during the electoral process.

The Electoral Commission stated that eligible voters were Tanzanian citizens aged 18 and above and that the number of registered voters exceeded 37 million. Voter turnout in the previous general elections in 2020 was recorded at 50.72 percent.

In Zanzibar presidential and parliamentary elections were held simultaneously with the general elections on 29 October. Early voting in the archipelago began on 28 October and voting procedures on election day followed the same process as on the mainland.

Candidates and Political Parties

A total of 16 candidates competed for the presidency in the 2025 Tanzania general elections. Incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan ran for re-election under the banner of the ruling Revolutionary Party (Chama Cha Mapinduzi – CCM).

Tundu Lissu leader of the main opposition party Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) was unable to participate in the elections as he remained in prison on charges of “treason to the nation.” In April 2025 the Tanzania Electoral Commission barred CHADEMA from contesting the elections. The Commission stated that the party had refused to sign the mandatory Election Code of Conduct and therefore violated electoral law.

Tundu Lissu’s candidacy was officially rejected and his party was banned from participating in national elections until 2030. Authorities claimed that statements Lissu made during some of his rallies were “inciting.” Lissu was arrested following a party rally held in April and three days later his party was disqualified from the elections.

The second-largest opposition party, the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo), also had its candidate, Luhaga Mpina, disqualified from the August 2025 elections. The Electoral Commission invalidated Mpina’s candidacy, citing procedural irregularities in his nomination application.

As a result of these two disqualifications, only candidates from minor parties remained in the presidential race. With the major opposition parties excluded, there was no strong challenger left to oppose the ruling party. In the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar, however, CCM candidate Hussein Mwinyi competed against ACT-Wazalendo candidate Othman Masoud for the presidency.

Political Background of President Samia Suluhu Hassan

Samia Suluhu Hassan is the sixth and first female president of Tanzania. She served as the country’s first female vice president from 2015 to 2021. Following the death of President John Magufuli in 2021 due to heart complications, she assumed office in accordance with constitutional provisions. This marked the first time in Tanzanian history that a woman became head of state.

Hassan participated for the first time in a direct popular vote during the 2025 general elections. This election was the first opportunity for the public to endorse her presidency. At age 65, Hassan ran as the candidate of the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

Since assuming office in 2021, she has reversed several policies enacted during the John Magufuli administration. Departing from the previous government’s denial of the COVID-19 pandemic, she secured Tanzania’s participation in the international COVAX program. As a result, Tanzania joined the global vaccine distribution system supported by the World Health Organization.

Hassan lifted the six-year ban on political rallies imposed during Magufuli’s tenure. She has also focused on completing infrastructure projects inherited from her predecessor and launching new initiatives in transportation, energy, and rural electrification.

Protests and Security Situation

Protests erupted in various cities across Tanzania during the general elections held on 29 October 2025. Particularly in Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city and commercial hub, clashes occurred between security forces and demonstrators.

In Dar es Salaam, protesters marched with slogans such as “We want our country back.” A group of demonstrators set fire to a police station located along Nelson Mandela Road, which leads to the city’s port area. Security forces deployed tear gas and fired warning shots in some areas.

The protests were not confined to Dar es Salaam; similar incidents occurred in Mbeya and Tunduma. Protesters set vehicles and some public buildings on fire, causing damage to local government offices.

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Alfred Chalamila stated that “security forces took necessary measures against those attempting to disrupt public order.” The police force reported ongoing operations to counter attempts to disturb public peace. NetBlocks, an international monitoring organization, reported significant internet outages across Tanzania beginning on the evening of 29 October.

Curfew and Military Measures

On 30 October 2025, a curfew was imposed in Tanzania’s major cities, particularly in Dar es Salaam. The restriction was implemented in response to growing security concerns following the election-day protests.

Dar es Salaam Police Commissioner Camillus Wambura announced that a curfew was enforced in certain parts of the city after protesters set fire to a bus and a fuel station. Wambura urged citizens to remain in their homes.

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila, speaking at a press briefing, stated that “security units have taken necessary measures against those attempting to disrupt public order.” He confirmed that security forces had been deployed throughout the city and that operations were ongoing.

No official information has been provided regarding the duration of the curfew. However, it was reported that as of the same day, the curfew came into effect in Darussalam from 6:00 p.m. and no end date had been announced.

Military units began patrolling not only in Darussalam but also in the national capital Dodoma and the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar. It was stated that security measures had been intensified in these areas.

Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa announced via social media that public employees had been instructed to work from home the following day. On the same day, state television issued a statement informing the public that students were to remain at home and schools would be temporarily closed.

Announcement of Election Results and Initial Reactions

The Tanzania Independent Electoral Commission announced preliminary results of the general elections held on 29 October 2025 on 1 November 2025. The Commission declared that Samia Suluhu Hassan, the candidate of the ruling party, the Revolutionary Party (Chama Cha Mapinduzi – CCM), and incumbent President, had been re-elected with 97.66 percent of the votes. According to the published data, out of a total of 32.7 million valid votes, 31.9 million were cast in favor of Hassan.

The Electoral Commission reported a national voter turnout of 87 percent. In the semi-autonomous presidential election in Zanzibar, CCM candidate Hussein Mwinyi was also declared re-elected with approximately 79 percent of the vote. With these results, the ruling party maintained control in both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

State television began releasing preliminary results on 30 October 2025, one day after the election, showing Hassan leading by wide margins in numerous constituencies. However, following the announcements, protests resumed in several regions of the country. Opposition parties claimed that the early results were the product of an “unfair and non-transparent process” and alleged irregularities in the vote counting. In response, the Tanzania Electoral Commission stated that the process had been conducted in accordance with the law and that the results reflected the will of the people.

Protests resumed on 30 October 2025 in various Tanzanian cities following the announcement of election results. Particularly in the capital Dodoma and the country’s commercial center Darussalam, violent clashes occurred between security forces and demonstrators. The demonstrations were concentrated in the Mbagala, Gongo la Mboto, and Kiluviya neighborhoods of the city.

Claims of Fatalities and International Reactions

As post-election protests escalated, conflicting figures regarding fatalities were reported. The main opposition party, the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), stated on 31 October 2025 that nearly 700 people had lost their lives nationwide. Party spokesperson John Kitoka claimed that around 350 deaths occurred in Darussalam alone and approximately 200 in the Mwanza region.

In contrast, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights confirmed, based on reliable sources, that at least 10 people had been killed and called on security forces to “avoid the use of disproportionate force.” UN Human Rights Spokesperson Seif Magango, speaking in Geneva on 31 October, stated that “unnecessary or disproportionate force, particularly the use of lethal weapons, must not be used against protesters.”

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also called for an investigation into developments in Tanzania, urging an inquiry into “excessive use of force and enforced disappearances during the pre-election period.”

Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, rejected opposition claims in an interview with Al Jazeera, asserting that “no excessive force was used.” Kombo added, “We have no figures on any deaths. Only acts of vandalism and attacks on public property occurred in certain areas of the country.”

According to Al Jazeera’s diplomatic sources, hundreds of fatalities were reportedly recorded in some hospitals and health centers. The same sources indicated that internet shutdowns were maintained by security forces to “prevent the dissemination of on-the-ground footage.”

Opposition Rejection of Results and Statements

Following the announcement of election results, Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), unequivocally rejected the results in statements issued between 31 October and 2 November 2025. In its official declaration, the party stated that “the results constitute a clear coup against the will of the Tanzanian people” and characterized the elections as “an assault on the democratic rights of the populace.”

In CHADEMA’s statement, it was stated that “no genuine election took place on 29 October 2025; citizens were not able to vote under free and fair conditions.” The party declared that the results have no legitimacy whatsoever and that it does not recognize the administration of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

In the same statement, CHADEMA also called on the international community to “not recognize the legitimacy of Hassan’s administration.” The party asserted that independent observers were prevented from carrying out their duties and that the vote count could not be monitored transparently due to the internet shutdown.

The Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo) Party similarly characterized the elections as “marred by irregularities” and called for the process to be repeated.

The government rejected the opposition parties’ claims and stated that the elections were conducted within the framework of national laws. Tanzanian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo told Al Jazeera that “only minor incidents of violence occurred in the country, but security forces have maintained control.”

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in a speech following the announcement of the results, described the protests as “irresponsible and unpatriotic.” Hassan stated that when Tanzania’s security is at stake, there will be no debate and that the government is “obliged to use all security measures.”

Inauguration of President Samia Suluhu Hassan (3 November 2025)

Samia Suluhu Hassan took the oath of office for her second term on 3 November 2025 at an official ceremony held in Dodoma. Traditionally held in public stadiums open to the general population, this ceremony was conducted instead on military grounds belonging to the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) due to security concerns.

The venue of the ceremony was under heavy security measures, and public attendance was prohibited. Only state officials, security personnel, and invited foreign guests attended the event. After taking the oath, Samia Suluhu Hassan was saluted in a military ceremony, during which a 21-gun salute was fired.

High-level representatives from regional countries attended the ceremony. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmud, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, and Mozambican President Daniel Chapo were present. Additionally, Zimbabwe Deputy President Constantino Chiwenga, Uganda Deputy President Jessica Alupo, Comoros Deputy President Moussa Said Moussaidine, and Kenya Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also participated.

Before the inauguration, the Independent Electoral Commission reiterated in its final results that Hassan had received 31.9 million of the 32.7 million valid votes, securing 97.66 percent support. The ceremony took place on the sixth day of continued internet restrictions. While internet outages persisted nationwide, protests were reported in several cities, including Dar es Salaam and Arusha.