By The African Union observer mission has declared that Tanzania’s recent general election failed to meet democratic standards, citing widespread irregularities and violations of international electoral principles.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the overwhelming winner of the October 29 polls, but opposition groups have accused the government of rigging the vote and excluding key challengers, sparking deadly protests.
In its preliminary report, the AU mission said the 2025 Tanzania General Elections “did not adhere to AU principles, normative frameworks, or other international obligations and standards for democratic elections.”
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Observers reported ballot stuffing, instances of voters receiving multiple ballot papers, and polling stations operating without political party agents. Some observers were also expelled during vote counting, the mission noted.
While the Tanzanian government has maintained that the election was free and fair, opposition party CHADEMA, which was barred from the race, claims hundreds were killed during post-election unrest.
Boniface Mwabukusi, president of the Tanganyika Law Society, estimated the death toll could exceed 1,000, citing reports from contacts on the ground. He said efforts to verify the figures were hampered by government intimidation aimed at silencing witnesses.
President Hassan, who was sworn in for a new term after reportedly securing 98% of the vote, acknowledged that there were fatalities but dismissed opposition figures as “grossly exaggerated.”
The AU mission urged Tanzania to undertake urgent electoral and political reforms to address systemic flaws that fueled tensions before, during, and after the vote.
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