Tanzania’s opposition party Chadema rejects election results
By Lutta Njomo, November 1, 2025Tanzania’s opposition outfit, the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), has disputed the just-announced election results, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner, securing another term amid days of unrest across the country.
In a statement on Saturday, November 1, 2025, Chadema’s Secretary General John Mnyika stated that the results announced by the National Electoral Commission had no basis in reality, insisting that no genuine polls took place in Tanzania.
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“These 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 levelled political playing field,” Mnyika’s statement read in part.
Fabricated figures
The main opposition party, whose leaders, including Tundu Lissu, were barred from the just-concluded polls, further contested the outcome, maintaining that the numbers announced by the country’s electoral commission were fabricated.
“Furthermore, Chadema emphasises that the Electoral Commission has released figures that are completely fabricated-merely reflecting the malicious intent of Samia Suluhu Hassan and her party to rig the election, an act which they have succeeded,” Chadema retorted.
“Chadema has repeatedly stated its position of “No Reforms, No Election.” We warned clearly that without genuine electoral reforms, and political laws, this election could not be free, fair, or credible.”
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Samia won 98 per cent of the votes in Wednesday’s poll, the electoral commission said. In her Saturday victory speech she said the election was free and democratic.
Chadema firm resolve
Following the announcement of the results, Chadema indicated that it will not recognise Samia Suluhu as the country’s president and further appealed to the international community to reject the outcome.
“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. Advises the international community not to recognize Samia Suluhu Hassan as the leader of Tanzania, as she lacks legitimacy, having not been elected by the citizens of Tanzania.”
Earlier on Saturday, November 1, 2025, the electoral commission chief, Jacobs Mwambegele, declared Samia the winner of the presidential election.
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Samia secured about 31.9 million votes, or 97.66 per cent of the total, with turnout nearing 87 per cent of the country’s 37.6 million registered voters, the electoral chief said.