AU Observers Declare Tanzania’s Elections Failed To Meet Democratic Standards

The African Union (AU) Election Observation Mission has declared that Tanzania’s recent elections, held on 29 October 2025, failed to meet international democratic standards.

In a preliminary statement issued on 5 November, mission head Mokgweetsi Masisi said observers witnessed multiple irregularities, including voters being issued with multiple ballot papers and instances of ballot box stuffing.

The mission reported that several of its monitors were asked to leave polling stations before the counting process was completed.

It also noted that media outlets faced restrictions in the lead-up to the election, while civil society groups were hindered from educating voters.

An internet shutdown on election day and in the days that followed further compromised the transparency and integrity of the polls.

The AU mission highlighted that the main opposition party, CHADEMA, boycotted the elections due to the government’s failure to implement proposed electoral reforms, which significantly undermined competitiveness.

Key constitutional reforms that could have strengthened the electoral environment, such as independent oversight in appointing electoral commissioners and legal channels to challenge presidential results, were not enacted.

The observation mission also criticised the arrest and prosecution of opposition leaders and the disqualification of candidates, describing these actions as contributing to a restrictive political climate that curtailed fair electoral participation.

The elections were further marred by violent protests, particularly on Election Day, which disrupted voting and created security challenges for observers.

Observers also noted that the electoral commission and other institutions were ill-prepared to handle incidents of ballot stuffing and a lack of transparency during counting. Part of the report reads:

“At this preliminary stage, the Mission concludes that (a) the 2025 Tanzania General Elections did not comply with AU principles, normative frameworks, and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections; (b) the environment surrounding the elections—before, during, and immediately after—was not conducive to peaceful conduct and acceptance of electoral outcomes; (c) the preparedness level of the electoral commission and other electoral institutions was inadequate to address the challenges that compromised the integrity of the elections.

“In this regard, Tanzania should prioritise electoral and political reforms to address the root causes of its democratic and electoral challenges witnessed ahead of, during, and after the 2025 General Elections.

“Such reforms should be underpinned by transparent and accountable conduct by state institutions, inclusion and accommodation of divergent views, citizen participation, and the upholding and respect for human rights.”

President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner by a landslide, but the disputed vote sparked deadly protests, with opponents accusing the government of fraud and demonstrating against the exclusion of her main challengers.