Polling began across Tanzania on Wednesday in an election overshadowed by arrests of opposition members and concerns raised by international rights groups.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan is seeking a second term, representing the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has remained in power since the country’s independence in 1961.

Voting started at 7 a.m. local time and will continue until 4 p.m., with initial results expected within 24 hours. However, the electoral commission has up to seven days to declare the final outcome.

Reporters from the Associated Press observed orderly queues at several polling centers early in the day.

The main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu of the CHADEMA party, remains behind bars facing treason charges after calling for electoral reforms, while another major opposition candidate was disqualified from contesting.

Amnesty International said the pre-election environment was marred by “fear and intimidation,” citing verified incidents of enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings. The group warned that such abuses threaten the credibility of the vote.

Hassan, who completed the term of her late predecessor John Pombe Magufuli after his sudden death in 2021, is now seeking her first full mandate. Sixteen candidates from smaller opposition parties are also in the race.

Tanzania has over 37 million registered voters—up 26 percent from the 2020 polls—but analysts say voter apathy remains high amid expectations of an easy victory for the incumbent.

The CHADEMA party has called for peaceful protests on election day, alleging government interference and unfair practices.

Source: AP