Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has secured a sweeping victory in the country’s controversial election, with official results showing she won 97.66 percent of the vote, according to the electoral commission’s announcement on state television Saturday.
The commission stated that Hassan dominated in every constituency, while state TV added that she would be sworn in during a quick ceremony later in the day.
However, the election has been marred by violence and unrest, with the main opposition party, Chadema, alleging that hundreds have been killed by security forces since protests erupted on election day Wednesday.
Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 following the sudden death of former President John Magufuli, has reportedly faced opposition from some sections of the military and Magufuli’s loyalists. Analysts believe she sought to consolidate her authority through an overwhelming victory.
Rights groups have accused her administration of orchestrating a “wave of terror” in the lead-up to the vote, citing multiple high-profile abductions that intensified in the final days before the polls.
Chadema was disqualified from participating in the election, and its leader is currently facing treason charges.
Despite a heavy deployment of security forces, the election descended into chaos as demonstrators tore down Hassan’s posters, clashed with police, and attacked polling stations. The turmoil prompted an internet blackout and a nationwide curfew.
A Chadema spokesman told AFP on Friday that “around 700” people had been killed, based on figures compiled from hospitals and health clinics. Both a security source and a diplomat in Dar es Salaam confirmed to AFP that the death toll was “in the hundreds.”
Hassan has yet to issue a public statement regarding the violence. Her government has denied allegations of “excessive force,” but continues to enforce a strict lockdown and internet shutdown, making information from within the country scarce.
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Journalists have been barred from operating freely, and most news websites have remained offline since early Wednesday.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the situation, saying he was “deeply concerned” about reports of deaths and injuries during the protests, according to a statement from his spokesperson.
Public outrage has also been directed at Hassan’s son, Abdul Halim Hafidh Ameir, who has been accused of coordinating the government’s crackdown.
Although there are unverified claims that parts of the army have joined protesters, Army Chief Jacob Mkunda reaffirmed his loyalty to the president on Thursday, describing the demonstrators as “criminals.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo told Al Jazeera on Friday that the government had “no figures” on casualties.
“Currently, no excessive force has been used,” Kombo said. “There’s no number until now of any protesters killed.”