AU Observers Fault Tanzania’s 2025 Elections Over Democratic Shortcomings

By Ivy Nyaboke 

The African Union (AU) observer mission has raised concerns over Tanzania’s recent general elections, saying the polls failed to meet regional and international standards for democratic practice.

In a preliminary report released on Wednesday, the mission stated that the October 29 elections did not comply with AU principles and global obligations guiding fair and transparent voting.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with 98 percent of the vote, a result that has sparked protests and accusations of fraud from the opposition. Several opposition parties, including CHADEMA, were barred from participating in the polls.

Observers reported cases of ballot stuffing, voters receiving multiple ballot papers, and the absence of political party agents in some polling stations. Some observers were allegedly ordered to leave during vote counting.

Tanzania’s government has defended the election, insisting that the process was free and transparent. However, rights groups and opposition leaders claim that hundreds of people were killed during demonstrations that followed the announcement of results.

Boniface Mwabukusi, president of the Tanganyika Law Society, estimated that the death toll could be more than 1,000, though verifying the exact figure has been difficult due to alleged government intimidation.

While President Suluhu has acknowledged some deaths occurred, she maintains that opposition figures exaggerated the numbers.

The AU mission has urged Tanzania to undertake comprehensive electoral and political reforms to address the systemic issues that undermined the credibility of the 2025 elections.