Dar es Salaam, Nov 1, (dpa/GNA) – Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, was declared the outright winner of the presidential election by the electoral commission on Saturday.
The commission said on state television that she had received 97.66% of the vote.
It was an election marred by violent protests in the country, which has long been viewed as an island of stability in East Africa.
According to the United Nations human rights office (OHCHR), credible reports indicate at least 10 demonstrators were killed, as security forces used firearms and tear gas to disperse them.
The opposition has been reported as saying hundreds were killed, but there have been no verifiable details on casualties.
Internet services have not been available since unrest erupted on Wednesday, and phone services have been severely restricted.
Protests broke out against the exclusion of the two main opposition candidates from the election. On Friday, thousands took to the streets to march on the State House in Dar es Salaam, the country’s largest city.
Observers believe Hassan’s CCM party will retain its parliamentary majority. The CCM has ruled the country since independence more than 60 years ago.
Hassan, who has been in office since 2021, after former president John Magufuli died, initially pledged to open up the country politically but is seen as having backtracked.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accuse Tanzanian security organs, of detaining opposition figures, censorship and intimidation.
Chadema, the largest opposition party, was excluded from the election. Party head Tundu Lissu is facing charges of incitement and treason.
Hassan, wins a new five-year term in the country of around 70 million residents.
GNA