The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has declared Tanzania’s 2025 general election as falling short of regional democratic standards, describing it as marred by intimidation, censorship, and lack of transparency. This was revealed in SADC’s preliminary Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) report released this week.

The report, led by Right Honourable Richard Msowoya, former Speaker of Parliament in Malawi, detailed widespread irregularities, including abductions of opposition figures, suppression of media, and restrictions on observers. It concluded that Tanzanians were denied the opportunity to freely express their democratic will.

According to SEOM, the political environment during the election was “uneven and intimidating.” Opposition members, including Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, were reportedly abducted or arrested in the lead-up to the vote. The mission said these incidents created fear and discouraged participation among opposition supporters.

The report also criticised Tanzania’s constitutional restrictions on electoral justice. Article 41(7) of the Constitution prevents courts from challenging presidential election results, while Article 74(12) bars judicial review of the Electoral Commission’s actions. SADC said these provisions undermine transparency and accountability, directly contradicting its own democratic principles and guidelines.

Concerns were also raised about the independence of the National Electoral Commission. The report noted that commissioners are appointed by the President, who also serves as the ruling party chairperson and was a candidate in the same election. “This arrangement raises serious doubts about the Commission’s impartiality,” SEOM said in its findings.

The mission reported that the internet was shut down on election day, preventing the transmission of information and obstructing observers from monitoring the process. Some SEOM observers were allegedly harassed by security personnel, forced to delete photographs, and temporarily had their passports seized in Tanga. Accreditation delays and missing introduction letters further hindered their work.

SADC’s observers also cited heavy media censorship. State-owned outlets reportedly gave overwhelming coverage to the ruling party, while private media self-censored for fear of losing licences. Online platforms faced restrictions, contributing to what SEOM described as an “information blackout.”

The report documented low voter turnout across polling stations and noted suspicious voting patterns, including ballot boxes with multiple stacked ballots. It further highlighted the exclusion of women, youth, and independent candidates from meaningful political participation. Only three of the 17 presidential contenders were women, and laws prevented independent citizens from contesting.

Civil society and voter education organisations were also sidelined, with some long-established NGOs denied accreditation. Local election observers were largely absent across polling stations, further diminishing transparency. SEOM said its own statement was delayed due to communication disruptions and security risks, underscoring the tense and repressive atmosphere surrounding the vote.

In its conclusion, the SADC mission stated unequivocally that “the 2025 Tanzanian elections did not meet the requirements of SADC’s Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.” The report called for structural reforms to ensure that future elections in Tanzania reflect genuine democratic will.

SADC Labels Tanzania’s 2025 Election a Sham

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