AU Observers Blast Tanzania’s Elections, Report Democracy Violations
Tanzania’s election did not meet democratic norms, the African Union’s observer team stated on Wednesday, following the disputed vote that sparked deadly demonstrations.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the landslide winner of the October 29 election, but opponents accused the administration of fraud, and protests erupted over the exclusion of her primary rivals.
“At this preliminary stage, the Mission concludes that the 2025 Tanzania General Elections did not comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections,” the mission said.
Observers reported ballot stuffing at numerous polling sites, where people were given extra voting papers, according to the report, which noted the absence of political party agents.
Preliminary Statement of the African Union Election Observation Mission to the October 2025 General Elections in the United Republic of #Tanzania 🇹🇿: The African Union Election Observation Mission calls for urgent constitutional reforms and inclusive politics in the United…
— African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security (@AUC_PAPS) November 5, 2025
It also stated that some observers were requested to leave their stations during the counting process. The government claims the election was fair and transparent.
Tanzania’s major opposition party, CHADEMA, which was forbidden from participating in the election, claims it has documented hundreds of deaths during the protests.
Boniface Mwabukusi, president of the Tanganyika Law Society, which represents lawyers on Tanzania’s mainland, estimated the death toll at more than 1,000 based on accounts from local contacts.
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He said it was difficult to compile a precise figure since the government was scaring people to keep them from providing information.
Hassan, who was sworn back into office on Monday after receiving 98% of the vote, acknowledged that people died, but her government has accused the opposition of exaggerating the toll significantly.
“Tanzania should prioritise electoral and political reforms to address the root causes of its democratic and electoral challenges witnessed ahead of, during, and after last week’s elections,” the AU mission added in its statement.
AU Observers Blast Tanzania’s Elections, Report Democracy Violations
