Tanzania's Presidential Election Marred by Crackdown on Opposition Ahead of Polls
The East African nation is voting for president and parliament with the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), looking set to secure its grip on power after opposition leaders were barred from competing. More than 37 million registered voters cast their ballots in a tense election environment marked by heavy security, internet disruptions, and protests.
Polling stations across Tanzania's commercial capital, Dar-es-Salaam, witnessed nearly empty rooms in the early morning hours, suggesting low voter turnout. Demonstrations, however, showed signs of dissent as hundreds of protesters took to the streets in cities nationwide, chanting "We want our country back" amidst the backdrop of increased security measures.
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to secure a win despite candidates from two leading opposition parties being disqualified due to charges and the government's restrictions on dissent. The opposition leader Chadema, led by Tundu Lissu, faces treason charges that he denies, while another top contender was barred for objecting from an electoral code of conduct.
Internet services have also been suspended nationwide amid claims of widespread disruptions, further raising concerns over free speech and the ability to report on the elections. Critics and observers argue that President Hassan's administration has used repression to maintain control ahead of the vote.
The human rights community is warning about a "wave of terror" against opposition figures, journalists, and activists in Tanzania, with more than 200 reported cases of enforced disappearance since 2019.
In this highly charged election environment, Tanzania faces significant challenges as it seeks to consolidate its power and maintain its economic stability in the face of rising unrest.
The East African nation is voting for president and parliament with the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), looking set to secure its grip on power after opposition leaders were barred from competing. More than 37 million registered voters cast their ballots in a tense election environment marked by heavy security, internet disruptions, and protests.
Polling stations across Tanzania's commercial capital, Dar-es-Salaam, witnessed nearly empty rooms in the early morning hours, suggesting low voter turnout. Demonstrations, however, showed signs of dissent as hundreds of protesters took to the streets in cities nationwide, chanting "We want our country back" amidst the backdrop of increased security measures.
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to secure a win despite candidates from two leading opposition parties being disqualified due to charges and the government's restrictions on dissent. The opposition leader Chadema, led by Tundu Lissu, faces treason charges that he denies, while another top contender was barred for objecting from an electoral code of conduct.
Internet services have also been suspended nationwide amid claims of widespread disruptions, further raising concerns over free speech and the ability to report on the elections. Critics and observers argue that President Hassan's administration has used repression to maintain control ahead of the vote.
The human rights community is warning about a "wave of terror" against opposition figures, journalists, and activists in Tanzania, with more than 200 reported cases of enforced disappearance since 2019.
In this highly charged election environment, Tanzania faces significant challenges as it seeks to consolidate its power and maintain its economic stability in the face of rising unrest.
. It's like, how many times do you have to see this before you get tired of it? I'm not surprised they're cracking down on opposition - who wouldn't want to silence dissenting voices, right? 
The internet going down is just the cherry on top of a whole bunch of issues. I'm sure it has nothing to do with trying to cover up some shady dealings 
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. It's all about maintaining control, I guess. I mean, who needs free speech or fair elections when you've got a strong leader, right? 
The human rights community is sounding the alarm, but I'm sure it'll just get swept under the rug like everything else in Tanzania 
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. The country's future looks pretty bleak right about now 
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i mean how can u have a free and fair election when ur opposition leaders are being barred from competing? and on top of that, the government is cracking down on anyone who speaks out against samia suluhu hassan's administration. like whats next? i feel bad for all the people who are being silenced or intimidated into not speaking up. its not just about tanzania either - this is a bigger issue for africa as a whole. we need to hold leaders accountable and make sure that elections are actually free and fair, you know? 
I'm really worried about the state of democracy in Tanzania right now 
. The fact that opposition leaders were barred from competing is super concerning 
. It's like, how can you have a fair election when one side isn't even allowed to participate? 
And the internet disruptions and protests? That just adds to the tension 
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. The opposition is just trying to express their opinions and have a say in the country's future, you know? 
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. Like, what even happened to them? 
. We need to keep an eye on this situation and hope that it doesn't get any worse 
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That's just not right.
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. and now with all these protests and demonstrators getting arrested, it's like the government is trying to silence everyone who doesn't agree with them 
. newsflash: dissenting voices matter! 
and what really gets me is how they're using internet services to restrict free speech - that's just crazy 
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like what even is the point of having elections if you can just rig them or shut people up? and 200+ enforced disappearance cases since 2019 is just insane 
. like, isn't democracy supposed to be about having choices? 
meanwhile, the human rights community is all like "wave of terror" and i'm over here thinking they're just trying to stir up drama 
. anyway, it's not like Tanzania's gonna be the next democracy icon or anything... 
The way they're handling this election is super concerning... all these cracks down on opposition ahead of polls is kinda worrying 
. It's not about politics; it's about basic human rights. Tanzania needs to get its act together and show the world that it values democracy over control 
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nyt internet services r suspended w/ claims of widespread disruptions...like wat s goin on? 
I'm all about peace and stability, but it feels like Tanzania is heading down a very dark path right now... 
and internet disruptions? that's basically a form of digital censorship 
the government's crackdown on opposition ahead of the polls is so concerning 
