Tanzania’s 2025 Election: Democracy Without Contest?

The East African nation of Tanzania held its general election on 29th October, resulting in the re-election of President Samia Suluhu Hassan with a reported 97% of the vote. This landslide victory was not entirely unexpected, but the magnitude and circumstances surrounding it have sparked renewed scrutiny of the country's political landscape.

Tanzania is often overshadowed on the global stage by larger African economies like Nigeria and South Africa or more politically dynamic neighbors like Kenya, but it plays a crucial role in East Africa. Its internal political developments and democratic trajectory deserve greater international attention because of the region's shifting political norms and the increasing strategic interest of external powers.

Tanzania is located along the southeastern coast of Africa, bordering countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. With a population exceeding 68 million, it is one of Africa's most populous nations. The country came into existence in 1964 with the union of mainland Tanganyika and the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar. Since then, it has enjoyed relative political stability, in stark contrast to some of its conflict-prone neighbors.

The ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has governed uninterrupted since independence, making it one of the longest-standing ruling parties in the world. Under the leadership of Julius Nyerere, Tanzania pursued a socialist model of governance, promoting unity through the national language, Swahili, and emphasizing rural development and egalitarian values.

Though multi-party democracy was introduced in the early 1990s, political competition has remained tightly controlled. The CCM has continued to dominate the political space, leveraging its historical legitimacy, grassroots networks, and control over state institutions. This has limited the emergence of strong opposition movements and created a political environment where elections often serve to reaffirm existing power structures rather than offering genuine alternatives.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan assumed office in March 2021 following the unexpected death of President John Magufuli. As Tanzania’s first female president, she initially signaled a break from her predecessor's authoritarian tendencies by reaching out to the opposition, releasing political prisoners, and engaging more openly with the international community.

However, as her presidency progressed, critics argued that the initial promise of liberalization was short-lived. Despite softening the government's public tone, President Hassan's administration has maintained the fundamental structure of one-party dominance. Key opposition leaders faced legal challenges, were subjected to surveillance, or their parties were deregistered or barred from campaign activities ahead of the last month's election. Independent media outlets also operated under constraints, and civil society groups reported difficulties in monitoring the electoral process.

The 2025 general election was thus marked by a significant absence of genuine political competition. With opposition parties crippled or excluded, and voter outreach controlled by the state machinery, it's a question whether this was a real election or only a show of popularity.

Unsurprisingly, the official figures present the election as a resounding endorsement of President Hassan’s leadership. With high voter turnout and an overwhelming margin of victory, the government frames the outcome as a mandate for national stability and sustained development. Ministers and party leaders point to gains in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and diplomacy as validation of continued public trust. State-aligned media reinforce this narrative, casting CCM as the only viable custodian of Tanzania’s future.

However, this official portrayal is challenged by independent observers and civil society groups. Reports from domestic organizations raise concerns about procedural opacity and limited transparency. Regional and international observers—including the African Union—acknowledge that the vote has been conducted peacefully, but they argue it falls short of democratic standards because of  exclusion of opposition voices, restrictions on campaigning, and the absence of credible redress mechanisms.

In urban centres such as Dar es Salaam and Arusha, protests have emerged in response to the political environment. Though not widespread, these demonstrations—largely youth-led—signal growing frustration with a system seen as closed and unresponsive. 

International reactions remain calibrated. Western governments have issued cautious statements acknowledging the results but urging respect for democratic norms. China, a major investor in Tanzanian infrastructure, has reaffirmed its support for the incumbent. India, maintaining a long-standing development partnership, has congratulated the leadership without directly commenting on the integrity of the process.

The 2025 Tanzanian election cannot be viewed in isolation. It forms part of a broader regional pattern in which several governments maintain formal electoral processes while limiting real political pluralism. Countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe have exhibited similar tendencies—where elections are regular but often lack genuine competitiveness. This model of "electoral authoritarianism" offers the appearance of democracy while undermining its substantive elements.

India sees Tanzania as a key partner in the Indian Ocean Region. With a sizable Indian diaspora and shared historical links dating back to the colonial era, the two countries have cooperated in areas such as pharmaceuticals, education, ICT, and defense. As Tanzania navigates its domestic political dynamics, India and other partners will need to balance strategic engagement with a principled stance on governance and institutional development.

For Tanzanians, especially the youth who make up a significant portion of the population, the future hinges on more than infrastructure and economic growth. It also depends on their ability to participate meaningfully in shaping their country's destiny. Genuine democracy requires not just voting, but an environment in which diverse voices can be heard, opposition can function without fear, and institutions are accountable.

For observers across Africa and beyond, Tanzania’s experience highlights the need to look beyond the ballot box and focus on the broader architecture of governance.