Tanzania’s general elections have been marred by controversy, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan taking an early lead amidst violent protests, a nationwide lockdown, and allegations of electoral fraud. Preliminary results from the Independent National Electoral Commission indicate that Suluhu has secured over 90% of the votes counted so far. However, the credibility of the electoral process is under scrutiny due to a crackdown on opposition and widespread unrest.

The election was widely seen as a one-sided affair, with the two main opposition candidates, Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, either jailed or disqualified. Sixteen other candidates from smaller parties were cleared to run, but none posed a significant challenge to Suluhu, who is seeking her first full term under the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.

The government’s move to suppress dissent has been condemned by civil society groups and international observers. On election day, internet access was cut nationwide, and a curfew was imposed in major cities, including Dar es Salaam. The national broadcaster announced Suluhu’s early lead, but this did little to calm tensions, as protesters took to the streets, accusing the government of orchestrating a sham election.

The unrest has spilled across borders, with demonstrations reported in the town of Namanga, which straddles the Tanzanian-Kenyan border. Kenyan police reported two deaths after clashes with Tanzanian security forces. Within Tanzania, the situation remains volatile, with access to Dar es Salaam’s international airport restricted and several major routes closed.

The exclusion of key opposition figures has fueled public anger, with Tundu Lissu currently on trial for treason and facing a potential death sentence. The opposition party, CHADEMA, was barred from participating in the election, and its vice chairman, John Heche, is reportedly in critical condition while in police custody.

The European Union has condemned the election as a “fraud unfolding for months,” citing the systematic exclusion of opposition voices and the erosion of democratic norms. Amnesty International has described the situation as a “wave of terror,” warning that the country’s democratic institutions are under threat. The situation in Tanzania remains uncertain, with the government yet to release official figures on the number of deaths and injuries reported during the protests.