DAR ES SALAAM — Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of the country’s presidential election, securing another term in office amid days of unrest and reports of deadly violence.

The electoral commission said Samia won 98% of the votes, nearly sweeping the 32 million ballots cast in Wednesday’s election. Turnout reached 87% of the country’s 37.6 million registered voters, according to electoral chief Jacobs Mwambegele.

“I hereby announce Samia Suluhu Hassan as the winner of the presidential election under the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party,” Mwambegele said while announcing the results on Saturday.

In Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous archipelago that elects its own leader, CCM’s incumbent Hussein Mwinyi won nearly 80% of the vote. The opposition in Zanzibar alleged “massive fraud,” the Associated Press reported.

International observers expressed concern over what they described as a lack of transparency and widespread turmoil, with reports of hundreds of deaths and injuries. A nationwide internet shutdown has made it difficult to verify the toll.

Protests continued Friday across major cities, including Dar es Salaam, where demonstrators tore down campaign posters and clashed with police despite warnings from the army chief. No protests were reported Saturday morning, but tension remained high as security forces manned roadblocks throughout the city.

The opposition Chadema party told AFP that “around 700” people had been killed in clashes with security forces, while a diplomatic source told the BBC there was credible evidence that at least 500 people had died.

Foreign Minister Mahmoud Kombo Thabit downplayed the reports, describing the violence as “a few isolated pockets of incidents here and there” and insisting that “security forces acted very swiftly and decisively to address the situation.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply concerned” about the situation in Tanzania, urging all parties to prevent further escalation.

The UK, Canada, and Norway issued similar statements, citing “credible reports of a large number of fatalities and significant injuries.”

The election was marked by the absence of major opposition figures. Tundu Lissu, one of Samia’s key challengers, is being held on treason charges he denies, while Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo party was excluded on legal grounds.

Sixteen minor parties participated, though none hold significant public support. The ruling CCM and its predecessor Tanu have dominated Tanzanian politics and never lost an election since independence.

Samia, Tanzania’s first female president, first took office in 2021 following the death of President John Magufuli. — BBC