Tanzania opposition rejects election results as ‘open coup,’ refuses to recognize president

Tanzania Opposition Rejects Election Results as ‘Open Coup’

Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, has rejected the results of the recent national election, describing the vote as an “open coup” and refusing to recognize President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership.

“The announcement of results is an open coup against the will of Tanzanians who have been denied their democratic right to choose the leader they want,”

The statement, posted on the social media platform X, criticized the electoral process for excluding the opposition and suppressing public participation.

Election Results and Response

The electoral commission declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner with 97.66% of the vote, receiving more than 31.9 million out of 32.7 million ballots. This result grants her a second term in office.

CHADEMA argued that these results are invalid because, according to the party, “no election took place.” They claimed that Tanzanian citizens were unable to freely participate on October 29 due to unfair conditions and restrictions on opposition movements.

Background and Political Context

The opposition was barred from competing in the election after missing the April deadline to sign the electoral code of conduct. Its chairman, Tundu Lissu, was jailed on treason charges—allegations he denies—following his leadership of the “no reforms, no election” campaign.

“These results have no validity whatsoever, because the truth is that no election took place in Tanzania. Citizens did not participate in the October 29 election due to the absence of free and fair conditions and the lack of a level political playing field.”

Author’s Summary

CHADEMA denounces Tanzania’s election as illegitimate, accusing the government of conducting an unfair process that silenced opposition voices and denied citizens a true democratic choice.

Anadolu Ajansı — 2025-11-03