The African Union (AU) Observer Mission has released a preliminary report exposing significant irregularities in Tanzania’s recently concluded and highly contested elections, which declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner of her first elected term while granting the ruling CCM party a parliamentary majority.
According to the mission, the elections were marred by ballot stuffing, internet shutdowns, restricted media freedom, and reports of abductions, all of which undermined the integrity of the voting process.
The AU observers concluded that the elections failed to meet the organization’s standards for democratic governance.
“The electoral environment did not comply with AU principles and international obligations for free and fair elections,” the report noted.
Voter Apathy and Electoral Irregularities
The observers highlighted low voter turnout across many polling stations, often accompanied by lax identification checks that allowed some voters to cast ballots without verification.
In certain locations, only presidential ballots were available, yet reports indicated that some voters were issued multiple ballots, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the results.
The mission also criticized the government for internet restrictions during the voting, counting, and tallying processes, which limited public oversight and media reporting. Observers noted that in some areas, ballot counts did not reconcile with the number of votes cast, further casting doubt on the election’s credibility.
Echoes of SADC and Civil Society Critiques
The AU’s findings mirror those of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which previously flagged similar concerns over stuffed ballots, low turnout, and procedural inconsistencies.
Both organizations stressed that these issues contravened regional and international guidelines on democratic elections.
Civil society groups in Tanzania, including the Human Rights Defenders of Tanzania and the Tanganyika Law Society, have corroborated these findings.
They highlighted the killing of civilians, destruction of property, arbitrary arrests, police beatings, and internet shutdowns as major concerns.
These groups are calling for an immediate end to police brutality and greater accountability in the electoral process.
International Scrutiny and Calls for Reform
The AU report underscores the importance of electoral reforms in Tanzania to safeguard democracy and public trust. Observers urged the Tanzanian government to ensure transparent investigations, legal accountability, and measures that protect citizens’ rights during elections.
“Elections must be free, credible, and peaceful,” the AU mission stated. “Any deviation erodes public confidence and undermines democratic institutions.”
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the contested polls, these findings place additional pressure on Tanzanian authorities to address grievances, uphold human rights, and prevent future electoral crises.
