Hours after President Samia Suluhu was controversially declared the winner of Tanzania's presidential election, the opposition party Chadema has rejected the poll results.
The country's general election that took place on October 29, 2025, was marred by widespread protests, reports of killings of protesters by security forces, media, and internet blackout.
In a statement by Chadema Secretary General John Mnyika, the party said the poll results have no basis in reality, "as the truth is that no genuine election took place in Tanzania."
“Citizens did not participate in the October 29 election due to an environment that was neither free nor fair, and because of the absence of a level political playing field,” Mnyika said.
Chadema further claimed that the country’s electoral commission released fabricated poll results, adding that they reflect the malicious intent of Samia Suluhu Hassan and her party to rig the election.
It added that it does not recognize Suluhu as duly elected as Tanzania's leader.
“Chadema does not recognize Samia Suluhu Hassan as the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, as she has not been elected by the people of Tanzania,” it declared.
The opposition outfit called on the international community not to recognize Suluhu as the leader of Tanzania, claiming she lacks legitimacy, “having not been elected by the citizens of Tanzania.”
Suluhu was officially been declared the winner of the nation’s presidential election on Saturday by the country’s electoral commission.
The announcement confirmed that the incumbent had received nearly 98 per cent (31,913,866 out of 32,678,844 votes) of the votes in a poll marked by the detention and disqualification of major opponents and days of unrest.
In a speech from the administrative capital, Dodoma, after being certified as the winner, Suluhu said the actions of the protesters were “neither responsible nor patriotic”.
“When it comes to the security of Tanzania, there is no debate – we must use all available security avenues to ensure the country remains safe,” she said.
The election, which has drawn international attention, was overshadowed by reports of violence and protests across several regions. Critics say the vote was held in an environment that limited opposition participation, raising questions about its fairness and transparency.
Despite this, the electoral commission maintained that the process was legitimate and declared President Suluhu as the winner.
The result cements Suluhu’s position at the helm of the East African nation, extending her leadership following her succession of the late John Magufuli in 2021.
