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African Union (AU) election observers have concluded that the integrity of Tanzania’s recent national polls was undermined by serious irregularities, including reported instances of ballot stuffing at numerous polling stations.
According to the country’s electoral commission, President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured an overwhelming 98 per cent of votes cast on October 29.
However, opposition figures — who were prevented from standing in the election — denounced the process as fraudulent. Election day was marred by violent unrest across several regions.
Authorities responded to the protests with sweeping restrictions, including a nationwide internet shutdown and suspension of transport links.
Opposition groups allege that hundreds were killed by security forces, although confirming the scale of casualties remains difficult due to lingering information constraints.
In its preliminary assessment, the AU Election Observation Mission said its monitors witnessed multiple procedural violations, such as voters being handed several ballot papers and individuals being allowed to cast their votes without identity checks against the official register.
“The 2025 Tanzania General Elections did not comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections,” the mission stated in its initial findings.
Observers were reportedly obstructed from overseeing the vote count, which the AU said reduced transparency. In some locations, monitors were limited to only five minutes of observation during the voting process.
The report also referred to violent disturbances, gunfire and major road blockages in regions including Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Mwanza, Kagera, Dodoma, Kigoma, Tabora, Buhungwa and Singida.
The AU has called on the Tanzanian government to prioritise political and electoral reforms to address systemic failings and prevent future crises.
Earlier this week, another coalition of African election observers declared that Tanzanians had been denied the ability to freely choose their leaders, pointing to censorship, intimidation, exclusion of opposition candidates and widespread evidence of vote manipulation.
