Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission has declared President Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner of this week’s presidential election, confirming her re-election with an overwhelming 97.66 percent of the vote. The announcement, made on Friday in Dodoma, solidifies her position as the country’s leader for another term, following a landslide victory that leaves little doubt about her continued political dominance.
According to official results released by the commission, President Samia, who ran under the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, secured a decisive win over her challengers, most of whom garnered minimal percentages of the total vote. The election, held earlier this week, saw millions of Tanzanians turn out at polling stations nationwide to cast their ballots in what authorities described as a peaceful and orderly process.
The National Electoral Commission chairperson stated that the election was conducted in accordance with Tanzanian law and that international observers were allowed to monitor the process. Preliminary reports indicated that voter turnout was high, reflecting public interest in the political direction of the country under President Samia’s leadership.
In her victory speech, President Samia Suluhu Hassan thanked Tanzanians for the overwhelming support and trust placed in her leadership. She pledged to continue focusing on economic growth, national unity, and social development, emphasizing her administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure, healthcare, and education. The president also called on all political stakeholders to put aside differences and work together for the country’s progress.
President Samia, who became Tanzania’s first female head of state in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, the late President John Magufuli, has since gained both national and international recognition for her efforts to open up the country politically and economically. Her leadership has been marked by efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties, attract foreign investment, and promote women’s participation in governance.
However, opposition parties and some civil society groups have raised concerns about the fairness of the electoral process. Some opposition figures alleged irregularities in vote counting and claimed that their supporters faced restrictions during the campaign period. The electoral commission, however, dismissed these allegations, insisting that the process was transparent and that all candidates were treated fairly.
Regional and international observers, including representatives from the African Union and the East African Community, have so far described the election as generally peaceful, though some recommended improvements in electoral transparency and access for opposition parties in future polls.
Political analysts say President Samia’s landslide victory consolidates the ruling CCM party’s decades-long grip on Tanzanian politics, extending its dominance since independence. Her re-election is expected to bring continuity in government policies, particularly in economic reforms and infrastructure development, which have been key priorities of her administration.
Many Tanzanians have expressed hope that President Samia’s second term will focus on tackling unemployment, enhancing education quality, and addressing challenges in the healthcare sector. Her administration’s Vision 2025 agenda, aimed at transforming Tanzania into a semi-industrialized middle-income country, remains a central pillar of her governance strategy.
As celebrations erupted across parts of the country following the official declaration, President Samia reaffirmed her dedication to inclusive leadership and national development. She urged citizens to remain united and optimistic about the future, assuring them that her government would continue to serve all Tanzanians regardless of political affiliation.
With 97.66 percent of the vote, Samia Suluhu Hassan’s victory marks one of the most decisive wins in Tanzania’s political history, further cementing her legacy as a key figure in the nation’s democratic and developmental journey. The new term begins amid both domestic expectations and international attention on how her administration will continue to shape Tanzania’s path toward stability, growth, and modernization.
