President Samia Suluhu Hassan was on Saturday declared the winner of Tanzania’s disputed election, securing 97.66 percent of the vote in a race boycotted by opposition parties and marred by violent protests, internet blackout and allegations of repression.
The final results, announced by the electoral commission, confirmed the dominance of Hassan and her Chama Cha Mapinduzi party across all constituencies in presidential and parliamentary polls held on 29 October.
State media reported that she would be sworn in later on Saturday.
The election triggered days of unrest in major cities as demonstrators protested the exclusion of key opposition candidates and what they described as widespread intimidation.
The main opposition Chadema party, which was barred from contesting, claimed that around 700 people were killed by security forces, citing figures from hospitals and clinics.
However, the UN human rights office reported at least 10 confirmed deaths in three cities, while independent verification remains difficult due to internet shutdowns, curfews and media restrictions.
Rights groups said the vote was preceded by abductions of opposition figures and the jailing of rivals. Chadema’s leader remains on trial for treason.
Analysts say Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 following the death of President John Magufuli, has moved to consolidate power within her party and suppress internal dissent.
JN/APA