AU: Tanzanian elections were a sham

By Newsflash Team

The African Union (AU) has issued a scathing assessment of Tanzania’s recently concluded general elections, citing widespread irregularities, intimidation, and violations of democratic principles.

In a preliminary report released on Thursday, November 6, 2025, the AU Election Observation Mission highlighted major flaws, including ballot stuffing, voter suppression, and restricted access for opposition parties. It also faulted the internet shutdown during voting and tallying, saying it severely undermined the transparency and credibility of the process.

Led by former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, the 55-member continental mission concluded that the polls failed to meet AU standards and international norms for democratic elections.

“While some polling stations observed proper reconciliation and tallying, others experienced significant inconsistencies. Ballot counts failed to match, and in several locations, voters were issued multiple ballots,” the report noted, adding that these actions compromised the integrity of the vote.

The AU mission further said that the pre-election environment, coupled with post-poll violence, created a hostile climate for credible elections.

Electoral Commission and turnout under scrutiny

The report criticised the preparedness of Tanzania’s electoral bodies, describing their coordination and logistics as inadequate. It called for urgent reforms to enhance transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in future elections.

The AU also condemned the heavy-handed response by security agencies to post-election protests, urging Tanzanian authorities to exercise restraint and uphold fundamental human rights while investigating cases of brutality and fatalities.

During the counting process, AU observers were allegedly expelled from several polling stations, contrary to established electoral procedures. In some cases, voters were allowed to cast ballots without identification, while others were issued more than one ballot paper.

“In some polling centres, our teams were only allowed to observe for five minutes, which hindered proper monitoring of the voting process,” the mission stated.

The AU also questioned the official voter turnout figures, which reported an unprecedented 87 per cent participation — equivalent to 32 million votes cast out of 36 million registered voters. Observers, however, reported low turnout across most polling stations, suggesting the figures may have been inflated.

Opposition clampdown and media restrictions

According to the AU report, the credibility of the election was further undermined by the government’s crackdown on opposition leaders and restrictions on political freedoms. The main opposition party, Chadema, boycotted the polls, citing the government’s failure to implement key reforms.

“The arrest of Chadema chairperson Tundu Lissu on treason charges and his deputy John Heche on immigration allegations crippled opposition participation,” the report said.

The mission also criticised the disqualification of ACT-Wazalendo presidential candidate Luhaga Mpina on what it termed as “procedural grounds,” saying the move diminished electoral competitiveness

The AU recommended constitutional reforms, including the establishment of an independent electoral body and amendments to allow presidential results to be legally challenged in court.

On media freedom, the AU raised concerns over censorship and restrictions on journalists during the election period. It said access to major digital platforms and social media was blocked, curbing public participation and transparency.

“Across the country, journalists operated under restrictive laws that stifled press freedom and hindered access to information,” the report added.

The AU concluded by urging Tanzania to address these concerns through inclusive political and electoral reforms that respect democratic principles and human rights.