Tanzania heads to the polls today in a tense atmosphere as President Suluhu Hassan seeks a fresh mandate amid widespread internet disruptions and growing concerns over the fairness of the electoral process. The election, seen as a crucial test of Tanzania’s democratic trajectory, has drawn regional and international attention due to reports of restricted communication and the sidelining of opposition candidates.
According to Net-blocks, a global internet observatory group, major social media platforms and communication networks across Tanzania experienced outages early Tuesday morning — a move widely interpreted as an attempt to control information flow during the election. The Associated Press (AP) confirmed that access to platforms such as Whats App, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) was severely limited, forcing citizens to rely on virtual private networks (VPNs) to share updates.
President Samia, representing the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, is widely expected to secure re-election. However, human rights groups and opposition leaders have warned that the political climate leading up to the vote has been anything but free and fair. Several opposition figures have been arrested or disqualified from running, and public rallies were heavily restricted under new security regulations.
Analysts note that President Samia has positioned herself as a symbol of stability and continuity, pledging to sustain Tanzania’s economic growth and maintain its reputation as a peaceful nation in a turbulent region. Her campaign focused on rural development, infrastructure expansion, and prudent use of public funds — themes that resonate deeply with Tanzania’s majority population living outside major cities.
However, critics argue that this stability has come at the cost of shrinking civic space and limited political competition. The Guardian and Reuters have reported rising frustration among younger voters and activists who claim that the government’s increasing control over media and online platforms undermines democratic progress.
The situation in Tanzania is being closely watched by regional observers, particularly in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. As East Africa’s second-largest economy, Tanzania’s stability has far-reaching implications for regional trade, investment, and security. Any post-election unrest or contested results could ripple across borders, affecting markets and migration flows.
For now, Dar es Salaam remains calm but tense. Election observers from the African Union and other international organizations have urged restraint from all parties and called on authorities to restore full internet access to ensure transparency in the vote-counting process.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who made history in 2021 as Tanzania’s first female president, faces both praise for her economic stewardship and criticism for her government’s heavy-handedness toward dissent. The coming days will determine whether Tanzania’s democratic institutions can withstand growing pressure and whether Samia’s leadership will mark a step forward or a regression in the nation’s democratic journey.
As ballots are tallied, the world watches closely — waiting to see whether Tanzania’s promise of peace and progress will hold firm or be tested by the deep political divides that shadow this election.
