The Party for Democracy and Progress (Chadema), the main opposition political formation in Tanzania, rejected President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s victory in Wednesday’s general elections, marked by protests that left hundreds dead. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Samia Suluhu Hassan the winner on Saturday, excluding her main opposition rivals, with 97.66% of the vote.
These results are unfounded, as the truth is that no legitimate elections were held in Tanzania, the opposition party said in a statement released late Saturday night.
Citizens did not participate in the October 29 elections due to an environment that was neither free nor fair, and the absence of equal conditions, Chadema emphasized, arguing that the numbers were manipulated and that the demonstrations are irrefutable proof that citizens reject any candidate that emerges from this electoral process.
Chadema, in statements to the international press, estimated the number of deaths in demonstrations in Dar es Salaam since the elections at more than 700as a result of police repression, but the Government refutes these numbers and speaks of around 150.
EU trusts numbers
The European Union (EU) considers credible reports confirming a high number of deaths resulting from the repression by Tanzanian security forces against opposition protesters, which classify this week’s elections as a farce, it revealed in a statement.
“Reliable reports of a large number of deaths and serious injuries are a cause for extreme concern. The EU urges authorities to act with the utmost caution to preserve human lives,” EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas said in a statement.
Amnesty International estimates that the repression of protesters has caused at least 100 deaths since the October 29 elections, elections in which, according to the national electoral commission, President Samia Suhulu Hassan won an undisputed victory, with 98% of the votes without significant opposition to her candidacy.
Kaja Kallas also declared the “lack of equal conditions in the period leading up to the elections”, marked by “reports of kidnappings, disappearances and violence that restricted civic and democratic space”.
The EU demands the release of detained politicians and a transparent and impartial trial for those arrested, with a solid legal basis, as well as rapid and thorough investigations into all reported incidents of kidnappings, disappearances and violence, he said.
After recalling the EU’s “long relationship” with Tanzania under the EU-OECD Agreement on Samoa, the head of diplomacy encouraged the Tanzanian government to continue efforts to establish a full multi-party system.
Kaja Kallas also called for an open and inclusive dialogue with all interested parties, in particular opposition parties and civil society, in search of reconciliation.