Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) has declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan the official President-Elect after securing a commanding 85.4% of the vote in the October 29, 2025, general election. This marks her first full elected term in office after initially assuming the presidency in 2021 following the death of former President John Magufuli.
President Hassan’s victory solidifies her position as Tanzania’s first female president and reflects the dominance of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has held power since the country’s independence. Hassan ran virtually unopposed, as major opposition figures, including main rival Tundu Lissu of the Chadema party and second-largest opposition candidate Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, were either jailed or disqualified from the race.
The elections were marked by low voter turnout in urban areas like Dar es Salaam amid fears of violence, which led authorities to impose night curfews and increase security measures. Protests erupted across the country in response to what critics, including human rights organizations, described as an election overshadowed by repression, restricted political freedoms, and a clampdown on dissent.
Despite these concerns, the NEC proceeded to affirm President Hassan’s victory with an overwhelming majority. The state-operated Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation has begun broadcasting preliminary results indicating that CCM retains strong support nationwide.
Human rights groups and some international observers have expressed alarm over reported abuses during the election period, calling for increased democratic reforms ahead.
Sources: Tanzania National Electoral Commission
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