Tanzania’s October 29 general election failed to meet continental democratic standards, the African Union has concluded, citing an opposition boycott, ballot stuffing, a six-day internet shutdown and violent protests that left an unknown number of people dead.
In a damning preliminary report released on Wednesday, the 72-strong AU Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) said the 29 October vote “did not comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and other international obligations” for democratic elections.
The mission, led by the former Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi, stopped short of rejecting the results outright but said the electoral environment “was not conducive to peaceful conduct and acceptance of electoral outcomes”.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has ruled Tanzania since independence in 1961, claimed a landslide victory, with official results giving Hassan 98% of the presidential vote and CCM almost every parliamentary seat.
The main opposition party, Chadema, boycotted the election after its leader, Tundu Lissu, was charged with treason and the party was banned from political activity. A second opposition presidential candidate was disqualified on technical grounds.
Ballot Stuffing en-masse
AU observers witnessed “some ballot stuffing” at polling stations, particularly those handling only presidential ballots, and noted multiple cases where voters were issued several ballot papers in full view of officials.
“Most of these instances were noted in polling stations where only the presidential ballot box was set up … manned only by INEC officials,” the report said.
On election day, protests erupted in Dar es Salaam and several regional cities, with gunfire heard and roads blocked by burning tyres. The government imposed an unannounced curfew and cut internet access nationwide from 11am on 29 October until after the AU mission left the country on 3 November.
Several AU teams were stranded by the curfew and had to shelter in private homes. Others were denied access to observe the sealing of early votes in Zanzibar or were asked to leave polling stations before counting finished.
Voter turnout was described as “very low”, reflecting widespread apathy after Chadema’s boycott left CCM facing only minor parties.
The mission praised logistical preparations and efforts to register prisoners and marginalised groups but said constitutional flaws – including the president’s sole power to appoint electoral commissioners and a ban on challenging presidential results in court – undermined credibility.
Women won 32% of directly contested parliamentary seats, up from 23% in 2020, but representation at local council level remained below 10%. Youth and people with disabilities faced “significant challenges” with no dedicated quotas.
Election Reforms Urgent
The AU called for urgent constitutional reforms, including an independent appointment process for electoral commissioners, the right to judicial review of presidential results and permission for independent candidates.
“Tanzania should prioritise electoral and political reforms to address the root causes of its democratic and electoral challenges,” the statement said.
The mission expressed regret at the loss of life in post-election violence and urged security forces to show restraint. It offered condolences to bereaved families and called for transparent investigations.
A final report with detailed recommendations will be published within two months.
Human rights groups and western governments have echoed the AU’s concerns. The US state department said it was “gravely alarmed” by reports of irregularities, while the EU called for “inclusive dialogue”.
Tanzania’s government has defended the election as free and fair, accusing opposition leaders of inciting violence.
