Tanzania’s ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) presidential candidate and incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan delivers her remarks during the party’s closing campaign rally in Mwanza on October 28, 2025. [AFP]
Tension gripped Tanzania hours after polls closed on Wednesday, October 29, in an election that began peacefully but later descended into chaos in parts of the country.
Analysts say President Samia Suluhu, who is seeking re-election, could shoulder part of the blame for the unrest among the country’s youth, following a series of unpopular decisions.
Suluhu entered the race virtually unchallenged after her main rival, Tundu Lissu, was detained on treason charges, and his CHADEMA party was barred from the 2025 elections for refusing to sign the electoral code of conduct.
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Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo Party was also disqualified, leaving the incumbent to face 16 candidates from smaller parties.
Speaking to NTV on Thursday, CHADEMA’s head of information, Gerva Lyenda, accused the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Party of fueling the chaos by denying voters a genuine choice.
“Tanzanians are on the streets because they are tired of bad elections. CCM grabbed the right of the people to choose the leaders they want. What they call an election is not what it should be. They are choosing themselves,” said Lyenda.
Policy strategist Prof Peter Kagwanja said the exclusion of top presidential contenders so close to the election was a strategic misstep that legitimised voter protests over what many saw as an unfair process.
He added that Suluhu’s reversal on earlier reform promises, including a pledge for a new constitution, may have deepened public resentment.
“The protests were expected, and they won’t stop. You cannot put competitors behind bars and expect a peaceful election. While former president John Magufuli had an authoritarian style, Suluhu tried to change it but suddenly introduced a worse form of dictatorship, which may be unsettling for many Tanzanians,” said Kagwanja.
The vote also exposed long-standing tensions between the mainland and the semi-autonomous Zanzibar, which together form the United Republic of Tanzania. Despite their union, the two sides have often clashed over resource sharing, governance, and autonomy.
Suluhu, who hails from Zanzibar, has faced scepticism over her leadership.
“Whenever there are debates involving the interests of both, there is always this long list of issues that comes up called ‘Kero za Muungano’. For instance, the recent massive privatisation of state assets was interpreted by mainlanders as a plot by the ‘Zanzibari lady’ to dish out their resources,” said Tito Magoti, a Tanzanian international human rights lawyer.
Magoti also criticised local authorities for imposing a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Dar es Salaam on election day, terming it illegal because it was not approved by Parliament.
Schools were closed on Thursday, and non-essential public servants were advised to work from home as authorities monitored the security situation.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to announce the official results within three days.
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Tanzania’s ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) presidential candidate and incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan delivers her remarks during the party’s closing campaign rally in Mwanza on October 28, 2025. [AFP]
Tension gripped Tanzania hours after polls closed on Wednesday, October 29, in an election that began peacefully but later descended into chaos in parts of the country.
Analysts say President Samia Suluhu, who is seeking re-election, could shoulder part of the blame for the unrest among the country’s youth, following a series of unpopular decisions.
Suluhu entered the race virtually unchallenged after her main rival, Tundu Lissu, was detained on treason charges, and his CHADEMA party was barred from the 2025 elections for refusing to sign the electoral code of conduct.
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Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo Party was also disqualified, leaving the incumbent to face 16 candidates from smaller parties.
Speaking to NTV on Thursday, CHADEMA’s head of information, Gerva Lyenda, accused the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Party of fueling the chaos by denying voters a genuine choice.
“Tanzanians are on the streets because they are tired of bad elections. CCM grabbed the right of the people to choose the leaders they want. What they call an election is not what it should be. They are choosing themselves,” said Lyenda.
Policy strategist Prof Peter Kagwanja said the exclusion of top presidential contenders so close to the election was a strategic misstep that legitimised voter protests over what many saw as an unfair process.
He added that Suluhu’s reversal on earlier reform promises, including a pledge for a new constitution, may have deepened public resentment.
“The protests were expected, and they won’t stop. You cannot put competitors behind bars and expect a peaceful election. While former president John Magufuli had an authoritarian style, Suluhu tried to change it but suddenly introduced a worse form of dictatorship, which may be unsettling for many Tanzanians,” said Kagwanja.
The vote also exposed long-standing tensions between the mainland and the semi-autonomous Zanzibar, which together form the United Republic of Tanzania. Despite their union, the two sides have often clashed over resource sharing, governance, and autonomy.
Suluhu, who hails from Zanzibar, has faced scepticism over her leadership.
“Whenever there are debates involving the interests of both, there is always this long list of issues that comes up called ‘Kero za Muungano’. For instance, the recent massive privatisation of state assets was interpreted by mainlanders as a plot by the ‘Zanzibari lady’ to dish out their resources,” said Tito Magoti, a Tanzanian international human rights lawyer.
Magoti also criticised local authorities for imposing a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Dar es Salaam on election day, terming it illegal because it was not approved by Parliament.
Schools were closed on Thursday, and non-essential public servants were advised to work from home as authorities monitored the security situation.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to announce the official results within three days.
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By Denis Omondi