DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the President-elect of Tanzania after winning a resounding 97.66 per cent of the vote in the country’s general election held on October 29, 2025, according to official results released by the Tanzanian Electoral Commission (NEC) on Saturday.
Suluhu, who ran under the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, garnered 31,913,866 votes out of 32,678,844 valid votes cast, securing an overwhelming mandate to continue leading the nation.
Her closest challenger, the Chaumu Party candidate, received 213,414 votes (0.65 per cent), while the remaining votes were shared among several minor candidates.
With 37 million registered voters, turnout stood at approximately 88 per cent, marking one of the highest electoral participations in the region this year.
The NEC chairperson, Judge Semistocles Kaijage, who announced the results from Dar es Salaam, declared Suluhu duly elected, saying the election process had been conducted “in accordance with the Constitution and electoral laws of the United Republic of Tanzania.”
“By the powers vested in me under Article 41(7) of the Constitution, I hereby declare Samia Suluhu Hassan as the President-elect of the United Republic of Tanzania,” Kaijage stated.
Suluhu, 65, becomes Tanzania’s first woman to secure a full presidential term through a general election. She first rose to the presidency in 2021, following the death of her predecessor, John Pombe Magufuli, and has since led the East African nation through a period of economic recovery and cautious political reforms.
In her victory address, Suluhu thanked Tanzanians for what she termed “an overwhelming vote of confidence,” pledging to unite the nation, revive the economy, and strengthen democratic governance.
“This victory belongs to every Tanzanian — women and men, young and old. Together we shall continue building our nation on peace, dignity, and prosperity,” she said.
Her landslide win, however, comes amid growing scrutiny from opposition parties and international observers.
Opposition leaders, some of whom were detained during the campaign period, have raised concerns over alleged restrictions on media, limited campaign freedoms, and internet shutdowns during the voting period.
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Friday expressed alarm over reports of at least 10 deaths and injuries in election-related protests, urging authorities to uphold international human rights standards and restore full internet access.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on all parties to exercise restraint and engage in “inclusive and constructive dialogue to prevent further escalation.”
The ruling CCM, which has governed Tanzania since independence, celebrated the win as a testament to public trust in Suluhu’s leadership. Party Secretary-General Daniel Chongolo described the results as “a clear endorsement of President Samia’s vision for transformation and national unity.”
