Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has won a second term in office with an overwhelming 97.66% of the votes, according to official results released on Saturday.
The announcement was made by Jacobs Mwambegele, chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission, during a broadcast on state television. Mwambegele declared Hassan, the candidate of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, the winner of Thursday’s election after securing more than 31.9 million of the 32.7 million total votes cast.
However, the landslide victory has been overshadowed by reports of violence, internet disruptions, and opposition protests.
According to the UN Human Rights Office, at least 10 people have been killed in clashes between demonstrators and security forces since the results were announced. Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chadema, disputed the official figures, alleging that more than 700 of its supporters have died in government crackdowns since the start of the election period. Party spokesperson John Kitoka accused authorities of targeting opposition members and suppressing dissent.
Internet watchdog NetBlocks confirmed that mobile data and access to major social media platforms were restricted in several cities during and after the vote.
In Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, incumbent President Hussein Mwinyi of the CCM also retained his seat with nearly 80% of the vote.
Human rights organizations have called on the government to investigate the alleged killings and restore full access to communication networks.
The 2025 election marks the first nationwide vote under Hassan, 65, who assumed office in 2021 following the death of former President John Magufuli.
While Hassan has pledged to promote unity and economic growth during her second term, both domestic and international observers have voiced concerns about the fairness of the election and the state’s heavy-handed response to dissent.
The African Union and East African Community have urged Tanzanian authorities to maintain peace, uphold human rights, and ensure transparency in resolving post-election tensions.
