Nairobi — The African Union (AU) Election Observation Mission has concluded that Tanzania’s October 2025 General Election failed to comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and international standards for democratic elections, citing legal, institutional, and procedural shortcomings that undermined the integrity of the process.
In a Preliminary Statement released on Wednesday, the AU Mission–led by former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi–said the electoral environment “before, during, and after” the vote was not conducive to peaceful and credible elections.
The Mission called on Tanzania to undertake urgent constitutional and political reforms to restore public trust and strengthen democratic accountability.
“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 statement read.
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“The preparedness of the electoral commission and other institutions was inadequate to address the challenges that compromised the integrity of the elections.”
The AU deployed 72 observers across 17 regions of Tanzania and Zanzibar to monitor the October 29 polls, which were marred by opposition boycotts, candidate disqualifications, violence, and a six-day nationwide internet blackout.
‘Restricted political environment’
According to the Mission, the elections were held in a “restricted political environment,” with the main opposition party, CHADEMA, boycotting the vote following the arrest of its chairperson, Tundu Lissu, on treason charges, and the disqualification of ACT-Wazalendo’s presidential candidate on technical grounds.
These developments, the AU observed, “diminished the competitiveness” of the elections and violated the principles of free political participation enshrined in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG).
While acknowledging some progress–such as improved voter registration and greater inclusion of women and youth–the Mission said these gains were overshadowed by legal barriers, unequal media access, and the partisan use of state resources by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
Observers also reported low voter turnout, ballot stuffing, and restrictions on election monitors at several polling stations. Protests erupted in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Mbeya, Dodoma, and Kagera, forcing some AU observers to suspend operations.
A nationwide internet blackout, imposed midway through election day, further limited transparency and prevented citizens and monitors from reporting irregularities in real time.
“While voting earlier in the day proceeded slowly but efficiently at most polling stations visited, some observers noted that stations handling presidential ballots lacked party agents or observers,” the Mission stated.
“At some of these stations, voters were allowed to cast ballots without identity checks, with some receiving multiple ballots and voting in full view of observers.”
Excessive force
The AU also condemned the excessive use of force by police and military units in dispersing post-election protests, which reportedly led to several deaths and property destruction.
The Mission urged the government to address structural weaknesses in its electoral laws, including: the presidential appointment of electoral commissioners without independent oversight; the constitutional prohibition on challenging presidential results in court; the ban on independent candidates; and unequal media and resource access during campaigns.
It further called for a broad-based national dialogue to foster inclusive politics, citizen participation, and credible elections. The AU’s final report, containing detailed findings and recommendations, will be released within two months.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, declared the winner with 98 percent of the vote, dismissed international criticism as “external interference.”
Speaking at a closed-door inauguration ceremony held under heavy security at a military base in Dodoma, Suluhu praised the National Electoral Commission (NEC) for conducting what she termed a “peaceful, fair, and efficient” election.
“We thank the electoral commission for coordinating and supervising the entire process with unquestionable efficiency,” she said on November 3.
“In this election, we had 17 candidates from various parties. We competed on merit, and all of us showed that politics is not war.”
Defiant Suluhu
Suluhu accused some foreign observers of overstepping their mandate, echoing the words of the late President Benjamin Mkapa:
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“We thank all communities that brought election observers. We have received their opinions with great respect,” she said.
“However, as President Mkapa said, when they praise us, we receive that praise humbly. But when they give us instructions on what to do–we reject those instructions.”
She added that her government would “consider constructive advice” while upholding sovereignty and peace as “non-negotiable national principles.”
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Commonwealth also described the polls as deeply flawed, citing the detention of opposition figures, suppression of media freedoms, and misuse of state resources.
SADC Chief Observer Richard Msowoya, former Speaker of Malawi’s Parliament, said constitutional clauses preventing judicial review of presidential results were a “serious obstacle to accountability.”
“Voters could not freely express their democratic will,” Msowoya said, urging Tanzania to implement far-reaching constitutional and electoral reforms.
Despite mounting criticism, President Suluhu urged Tanzanians to “move past the election” and focus on rebuilding the nation.