Archive · 29 Oct 2025
Tanzania Election: President Hassan Expected to Win Amidst Opposition Barred
Tanzanians are voting to choose their president and lawmakers.
The current president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, is expected to win because the main opposition candidates are not allowed to run.
One of the biggest opposition parties, CHADEMA, had its leader disqualified because he is facing charges and the party refused to sign an agreement.
The second-biggest opposition party also had its candidate disqualified.
This means only candidates from smaller parties are running against President Hassan.
Her party, CCM, has been in charge for a very long time.
Some groups say the government is not allowing people to disagree with it, but the government says this is not true.
There are also concerns about people being taken away without explanation, and the government said it would investigate, but no results have been shared.
The election results are expected within three days.
Tanzania is holding a general election where President Samia Suluhu Hassan is widely expected to win.
Leading opposition parties CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo, along with their presidential candidates, have been disqualified or barred from participating.
President Hassan's ruling party, CCM, has dominated Tanzanian politics since 1977.
Human rights groups like Amnesty International accuse the government of repressing dissent, while the government denies these claims.
Concerns about alleged abductions of critics have been raised, and the government ordered an investigation, but no findings have been made public.
- Who
- President Samia Suluhu Hassan and candidates from minor parties are participating in the election, while leading opposition candidates from CHADEMA and ACT-Wazalendo have been barred.
- What
- Tanzanians are voting in a presidential and parliamentary election, as well as for legislators in the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago. President Samia Suluhu Hassan is widely expected to win.
- When
- Wednesday
- Where
- Tanzania, including the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago.
- Why
- Leading opposition parties and their candidates have been disqualified or barred from participating, allowing President Hassan's long-dominant CCM party to maintain its political control.
Human Rights Groups and Opposition
Tanzanian Government
Repression of Dissent
Human Rights Groups and Opposition
Accuse authorities of repressing dissent, citing concerns about arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and suppression of freedoms.
Tanzanian Government
Deny claims of repression, stating that the portrayal of Tanzania is inconsistent with its legal and institutional safeguards, and asserting commitment to respecting human rights.
Disqualification of Opposition Candidates
Human Rights Groups and Opposition
Leading opposition parties and candidates have been barred from participating, raising questions about the fairness of the electoral process.
Tanzanian Government
The electoral commission disqualified candidates, such as CHADEMA's leader Tundu Lissu due to ongoing treason charges and ACT-Wazalendo's candidate following an objection, indicating adherence to established procedures.
- Election Date
- Wednesday
- Presidential Candidate
- Samia Suluhu Hassan (CCM)
- Dominant Party
- CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi)
- Population
- Approximately 68 million
- Results Announcement
- Within three days of election day
- Polls Open
- 0400 GMT
- Polls Close
- 1300 GMT