The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) has called for urgent constitutional and political reforms in Tanzania, following what it described as a flawed and uncompetitive general election held on October 29, 2025.
In its preliminary statement released on Wednesday, the Mission concluded that the polls did not comply with African Union principles, normative frameworks, and international standards for democratic elections, citing legal shortcomings, restricted political freedoms, and incidents of violence and internet shutdowns that marred the credibility of the process.
Led by former Botswana President Mokgweetsi and supported by former Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, the 72-member delegation was deployed across 17 regions of Tanzania and Zanzibar between October 14 and November 3, 2025.
The Mission commended logistical preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Zanzibar Election Commission (ZEC), including voter registration, civic education, and technological adoption.
However, it faulted the elections for falling short of transparency, inclusivity, and fairness.
“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,” the statement said.
The Mission noted that the political environment ahead of the polls was undermined by the arrest of opposition leaders, the boycott by the main opposition party CHADEMA, and the disqualification of ACT-Wazalendo’s presidential candidate.
These developments, it said, diminished competitiveness and violated principles of free participation under the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
While President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s early reforms had expanded political space, the AU observers said those gains were short-lived.
They also cited the failure to implement key constitutional reforms, including independent appointment of election commissioners and the right to challenge presidential results in court.
On election day, the AUEOM observed low voter turnout, late openings in several polling stations, and reports of ballot stuffing and multiple voting.
The Mission also said that its observers faced restrictions at some polling stations, including being denied access to the closing and counting processes.
Protests and violent clashes in major cities such as Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, Mwanza, and Dodoma disrupted the voting process.
The AU team reported that some of its members were stranded due to sudden curfews and transport shutdowns.
The observers also raised concerns over a nationwide internet blackout that began mid-morning on election day and persisted for nearly a week, hindering communication and transparency.
Despite some progress in voter registration and gender representation, the Mission highlighted persistent gaps in inclusion.
Women accounted for 50.3% of registered voters, but their participation as candidates remained limited, with most occupying reserved “Special Seats.”
Youth and persons with disabilities also faced structural barriers to political participation.
The AU team urged Tanzania to adopt mechanisms to ensure their representation in decision-making positions.
Civil society organisations faced late accreditation and restricted access to electoral processes, while media freedom was curtailed by government regulations and the blocking of online platforms.
The AU Mission expressed concern over the excessive use of force by security agencies and urged authorities to conduct transparent investigations into post-election violence that left several people dead.
It called for comprehensive reforms to strengthen the independence of electoral institutions, promote inclusivity, protect human rights, and restore public confidence in the democratic process.
“Regular elections without genuine competition result in voter apathy and disengagement from political activities,” the Mission warned, underscoring the need for equitable participation and political freedoms.
A final report with detailed findings and recommendations will be issued within two months.
