What you need to know about Tanzania's election DW 10/21/2025

"Tanzania has a first-past-the-post system, with the president and vice president jointly and directly elected via simple majority popular vote. They serve five-year terms, which are renewable once. The October 29, 2025 election is a little unusual, because current President Samia Suluhu Hassan is competing in her first presidential election. She took over as president upon the death of President John Magufuli in 2021. Hassan, the first woman to lead Tanzania, was his deputy."

"While the mainland and Zanzibar have formed the United Republic of Tanzania since 1964, the territories have considerable differences in populations, colonial history, religious makeup and economy. For example, Zanzibar's population counts for approximately 1.9 million out of Tanzania's total population of 68 million. Around 98% of Zanzibaris are Muslim, while around 63% of Tanzanians in total are Christians."

"Seventeen candidates and their parties are officially running. However, Hassan of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party is the only nationally recognized candidate, and the two main opposition parties, Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo (Alliance for Change and Transparency), have been barred. Major candidates from both parties have also been banned from standing for election. ACT-Wazalendo may have voted for their party leaders, but the party has been barred from competing in the general election"

Tanzania elects president and vice president jointly by simple majority under a first-past-the-post system for five-year terms, renewable once. Incumbent Samia Suluhu Hassan succeeded John Magufuli in 2021 and is contesting her first presidential election on October 29, 2025 as the first woman to lead Tanzania. Mainland Tanzania and semi-autonomous Zanzibar differ in population, colonial history, religion and economy; Zanzibar has about 1.9 million of 68 million people and around 98% Muslim. Of 264 directly elected MPs, 214 represent the mainland and 50 represent Zanzibar, with 113 additional women’s seats chosen indirectly by parties. Seventeen candidates are registered, but Hassan of CCM is the only nationally recognized candidate while major opposition parties Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo and several of their candidates have been barred from the general election.

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