Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — The National Electoral Commission of Tanzania on Saturday morning, November 1, 2025, announced that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has won the country’s general election with an overwhelming 97.66% of the vote.
According to the commission, Samia received 31.9 million votes, representing 97.66 percent of all ballots cast. Voter turnout stood at 87 percent, with 37.6 million registered voters participating in the polls.
This victory secures another five-year term for Samia, who made history in 2021 as Tanzania’s first female president after succeeding the late John Pombe Magufuli.
The elections, held on Wednesday, were followed by widespread protests in several Tanzanian cities, largely led by youth groups accusing the government of undermining democracy and suppressing opposition voices.
Demonstrators claimed that key opposition figures were either barred from contesting or imprisoned, giving the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and its candidate, President Samia, a clear path to victory.
The main opposition party, CHADEMA, alleged that hundreds of people were killed over three days of post-election unrest.
Despite the controversy, President Samia, aged 65, will continue to lead the East African nation of over 68 million people, emphasizing continuity in her government’s focus on stability, economic growth, and regional cooperation.
Her administration has been credited with policy reforms promoting girls’ education, public health, and a more open approach to international partnerships, in contrast to her predecessor’s restrictive style.
As she embarks on her second term, Samia faces both the challenge of healing political divisions and the opportunity to strengthen Tanzania’s democratic institutions and economic resilience.
Gabriel UZABAKIRIHO / KIGALI TIMES