Tanzania is on edge as citizens head to the polls on October 30, 2025, amid widespread protests and heightened security across the East African nation. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM)—the Party of Revolution—aims to extend its uninterrupted 60-year grip on power, but growing public frustration over political repression and economic hardship has fueled rare street demonstrations in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Mwanza .
Election Day Unrest Breaks Out
Despite a heavy police and military presence, protesters took to the streets early Wednesday morning, waving opposition flags and chanting slogans like “Democracy now!” and “We are tired of silence.” In several neighborhoods, internet services were disrupted, and social media platforms—including X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp—were throttled, according to digital rights group NetBlocks .
“They’re voting, but not freely,” said Amina Juma, a university student in Dar es Salaam, who described police using tear gas to disperse a peaceful gathering near the National Electoral Commission office. “We just want our voices counted.”
The CCM’s Enduring Dominance
Formed in 1977 through the merger of Tanganyika’s ruling party and Zanzibar’s Afro-Shirazi Party, CCM has won every presidential election since independence. Incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan—Tanzania’s first female leader—is running for her first full term after assuming office in 2021 following the sudden death of John Magufuli .
While initially hailed as a reformer, critics say Hassan has backtracked on democratic promises, maintaining strict media controls and cracking down on dissent. Still, she remains popular in rural areas for infrastructure investments and relative economic stability.
Key Opposition Challenges
The main challenger, Tundu Lissu of the Chadema party, returned from exile in 2023 after surviving an assassination attempt in 2017. His campaign has focused on restoring civil liberties, fighting corruption, and ending CCM’s monopoly on power.
However, Chadema faces significant hurdles: several of its rallies were banned in the final week of campaigning, and its observers report being denied accreditation at polling stations .
Zanzibar: The Flashpoint
All eyes are on Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous archipelago where tensions have historically run high. In 2020, the electoral commission annulled the entire vote on the islands, citing “irregularities,” and reran it under CCM control—a move widely condemned by international observers.
On Wednesday, reports emerged of ballot boxes being delivered without opposition witnesses present. “This is déjà vu,” said Zanzibari activist Fatma Ali. “They’re scripting the result before the count even begins.”
Tanzania 2025 Election Snapshot
| Registered Voters | 29.4 million |
|---|---|
| Polling Stations | Over 35,000 |
| Presidential Candidates | 12 (including 3 women) |
| Incumbent Party | Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) |
| International Observers | AU and SADC present; EU not invited |
What’s at Stake?
Beyond politics, Tanzania’s election could shape its role in regional stability. As a key player in East Africa—with major ports, natural gas reserves, and peacekeeping contributions—the world watches closely. Investors worry that post-election unrest could disrupt the $40 billion LNG projects set to launch in 2026.
For ordinary Tanzanians, however, the stakes are more personal: freedom to speak, assemble, and choose their leaders without fear.
