DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Voting opened Wednesday in Tanzania’s presidential and parliamentary elections as the country’s main opposition parties sat out the race amid a government crackdown on dissent.
More than 37 million registered voters were eligible to cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the electoral commission said it would announce results within three days.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has led the country since 2021, is widely expected to win. Candidates from the largest opposition parties were disqualified. Tundu Lissu, leader of Chadema, faces treason charges. Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo was also barred.
Authorities deployed heavy security in Dar es Salaam. Still, hundreds of people protested in parts of the city. Police clashed with demonstrators and a group burned a police station along Nelson Mandela Road. Some polling stations in the city reported low turnout early in the day.
Internet users reported nationwide connectivity disruptions. NetBlocks, an internet-monitoring group, confirmed a widespread outage on social media.
The barred opposition and rights groups say the exclusions and arrests have narrowed political space. Officials say they acted under the law. The disqualified parties declined to endorse any candidate.
Hassan’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi has governed Tanzania since independence-era movements formed the party’s predecessor. Observers note the party’s long dominance and recent shifts in how the government treats critics.
Human rights organizations have raised alarms about alleged abductions and enforced disappearances in the past two years. The government ordered an inquiry last year but has not released findings.
The vote also includes races for a 400-seat National Assembly and leadership in semi-autonomous Zanzibar. International observers and regional leaders have been watching the process closely.
Tanzania’s election comes as the country faces economic pressures, high youth unemployment and calls for political reform. The result will shape political dynamics ahead of the 2026 general election cycle.
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