Tanzania’s main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na
Maendeleo (Chadema), has rejected the results of the October 29 elections
announced by the National Electoral Commission, alleging the process was
fraudulent and illegitimate.
In a statement, Chadema said no genuine election took place,
claiming that the environment was neither free nor fair and lacked a level
playing field.
The party accused the electoral body of releasing fabricated
results designed to favour President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the ruling party.
“These results have no basis in reality, as the truth is
that no genuine election took place in Tanzania,” Secretary General John Mnyika
said.
Chadema argued that many citizens did not participate in the
vote due to what it described as intimidation, restricted freedoms and systemic
manipulation.
The party further alleged that the figures announced by the
Electoral Commission reflect a deliberate plan by President Samia Suluhu
Hassan’s administration to rig the election.
It said these actions undermine the will of Tanzanians and
violate their democratic rights.
Chadema reiterated its long-standing stance of ‘No Reforms,
No Election’, saying it had previously warned that without electoral and
political reforms, the polls could not be free, fair or credible.
The party pointed to countrywide demonstrations as evidence
that citizens rejected the electoral process.
As part of its position, Chadema declared that it does not
recognise Samia Suluhu Hassan as the President of Tanzania, claiming she was
not elected by the people.
The statement also called on the international community not
to acknowledge President Samia’s leadership, arguing that the outcome amounts
to a coup against the will of Tanzanians.
Tanzania's electoral commission declared incumbent President
Samia Suluhu Hassan winner, with nearly 98 per cent of the votes.
The October 29 election was marred by violence as
demonstrators took to the streets of major cities to protest the vote.
While official figures on voter turnout and total ballots
cast were not immediately available, Suluhu's ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi
(CCM), claimed a decisive win across all regions.
International outlets, including Reuters, The Guardian,
reported that protests broke out in major cities as results were being tallied,
with security forces dispersing demonstrators using tear gas.
Several opposition parties were either barred or boycotted
the vote, citing harassment, arrests and restrictions on campaign activities.
Demonstrators accused the government of orchestrating a
“sham election” after opposition parties were denied registration or had their
rallies blocked.
Human rights groups and opposition activists claimed that
hundreds were killed or injured during clashes with police, allegations the
government dismissed as “gross exaggerations.”
