Vote counting is underway across Tanzania following a tense general election marred by pockets of unrest, police crackdowns, and allegations of irregularities in several regions. The national mood remained uncertain as polling officials began tallying results late Tuesday, a process expected to take several days amid heightened security.
The election, held on Tuesday, October 29, 2025, saw millions of Tanzanians cast their ballots to choose a president, members of parliament, and local government officials. It marked the first major electoral test for President Samia Suluhu Hassan since she assumed office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli.
Observers reported generally peaceful voting in most areas, though disruptions occurred in parts of Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza, where opposition supporters clashed with security forces. Several polling stations reportedly opened late, and some voters complained of missing names on the register, prompting accusations of voter suppression from opposition parties.
The opposition alliance, led by ACT-Wazalendo and CHADEMA, claimed that some of its agents were denied access to polling stations and that there were attempts to manipulate results in favour of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. However, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) dismissed the allegations, insisting that voting proceeded in line with the law and that any grievances would be addressed through formal channels.
Police fired tear gas and warning shots in parts of Dar es Salaam and Dodoma to disperse crowds protesting alleged electoral irregularities, while reports from Zanzibar indicated temporary suspension of voting in some wards following ballot mix-ups. Authorities later confirmed that order had been restored in most affected areas.
As counting continues, the NEC said preliminary results would be released “within three days,” urging citizens to remain calm and await official announcements.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, seeking a fresh mandate, has campaigned on economic stability, infrastructure development, and social reforms, while her main challenger, Zitto Kabwe of ACT-Wazalendo, promised to tackle corruption and expand democratic freedoms.
International observers have called for transparency and restraint from both security agencies and political parties as the tallying process unfolds. The tense atmosphere, combined with heavy security presence in major cities, underscores the high stakes of this election in shaping Tanzania’s democratic trajectory.
While calm has largely returned, opposition figures continue to call for vigilance, warning that any attempt to manipulate the outcome could trigger wider demonstrations. The final results are expected to determine whether President Hassan secures a renewed mandate or faces an unprecedented opposition challenge in one of East Africa’s most politically consequential elections in recent years.
