Chadema disputes Suluhu’s win in Tanzania’s election
By Lutta Njomo, November 1, 2025Tanzania’s opposition outfit, the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), has vowed not to recognise election polls where the incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner amid protests in various parts of the country.
In a strongly worded statement on Saturday, November 1, 2025, Chadema’s Secretary General, John Mnyika, argued that the poll results had no basis.
According to the opposition’s statement, no election took place in Tanzania despite the country’s electoral body maintaining that Samia secured a landslide win.
“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,” Mnyima stated.
Fabricated figures
Mnyika went further to claim that the figures announced by Tanzania’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.”
Earlier on Saturday, November 1, 2025, the electoral commission chief, Jacobs Mwambegele, declared Samia the winner of the presidential election.
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.
In her acceptance speech, Samia termed the polls free and fair despite widespread protests.
The party’s stand
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.
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.