Tanzania’s INEC Declares President Samia Suluhu Hassan Winner with 97.66% of Votes

The results from Tanzania’s October 28th presidential and parliamentary elections have been officially announced, confirming the political dominance of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.

Incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with an overwhelming 97.66% of the vote (securing 31,913,866 out of 32,678,844 ballots cast). Her main rival, John Mnyika, reportedly secured just 0.65%. The ruling party’s control was cemented in the legislature, where the CCM captured 270 of 272 parliamentary seats, extending its unbroken grip on power since 1961.

However, these historic figures are inseparable from the highly contentious political climate that surrounded the poll.

The final vote tally is less a reflection of competitive democracy and more a consequence of the major opposition boycott. Facing what they termed an “unlevel playing field,” key opposition parties opted out of the contest, arguing the integrity of the process had been fundamentally compromised.

This decision was made against the backdrop of an intense crackdown on dissent:

• Targeting Leaders: Opposition parties cited the arrests and disqualifications of key leaders and candidates in the run-up to the vote, effectively neutralizing the most credible challenges to the CCM.
• A Stifled Race: With the most viable opposition candidates sidelined, the election was widely considered by critics to be a mere “coronation,” paving the way for the CCM’s near-unanimous victory in both the executive and legislative branches.

Perhaps the most troubling indicator of the political crisis is the immediate and violent aftermath. The lack of faith in the electoral process, compounded by the political repression, triggered widespread nationwide protests.

According to reports, these demonstrations were met with severe responses from security forces, tragically resulting in at least 500 deaths. This stark figure underscores the extreme polarization and the critical human rights concerns now facing the administration.

The results hand President Hassan a resounding mandate on paper, but the context of arrests, disqualifications, and hundreds of reported protest deaths paints a complex picture. Her next term will be judged not only on her economic agenda but also on whether she can effectively address the profound legitimacy deficit that has arisen from this process.