Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has claimed a sweeping election victory, early results showed on Saturday, after key rivals were jailed or barred from a vote that has sparked days of deadly unrest.
Preliminary tallies broadcast on state TV showed Hassan winning more than 95% of the vote in every constituency, with final results expected within hours. State media said she would be sworn in later on Saturday.
The main opposition party, Chadema, said hundreds of people had been killed by security forces since protests erupted on election day Wednesday, while the UN voiced concern over “reports of deaths and injuries.”
A Chadema spokesman told AFP that about 700 people had been killed, citing data collected from hospitals and clinics. A security source and a diplomat in Dar es Salaam also said fatalities were “in the hundreds.”
Internet blocked, nationwide curfew imposed
Authorities have blocked the internet, imposed a nationwide curfew, and restricted journalists, making independent verification difficult.
Hassan’s government has denied using “excessive force,” with Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo telling Al Jazeera that there were “no figures” on casualties.
Rights groups said the election was marred by intimidation and abductions of opposition figures in the days leading up to the vote. Chadema was barred from running, and its leader remains on trial for treason.
Much of the public anger has focused on Hassan’s son, Abdul Halim Hafidh Ameir, accused by critics of orchestrating the crackdown.
Analysts say Hassan, who took power in 2021 after the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, had sought to consolidate control within her party and neutralise internal dissent.
Army chief Jacob Mkunda on Thursday described protesters as “criminals” and pledged support for the president.
