The lawmakers said that the elections, which are likely to give President Samia Suluhu a major victory, were held in an atmosphere of fear, arrests, and intimidation.
In a joint statement on Thursday, October 30, European MPs David McAllister, Mounir Satouri, and Merja Kyllönen said that the election was compromised long before voting began.
They explained that opposition leaders, journalists, and activists were harassed for months leading up to the polls.
“What should have been a celebration of democracy turned into an event filled with repression and fear. These elections cannot be free and fair,” the lawmakers said.
They added that fraud did not begin at the ballot box but had been happening for months through unfair restrictions and arrests.
The MPs condemned the detention of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who was arrested on treason charges days before the election.
They called for his “immediate and unconditional” release, saying that no election could be credible when the main opposition candidate was in jail.
They also urged other countries not to remain silent, warning that silence would mean accepting the unfair elections.
With most of her opponents either jailed or barred from running, President Samia Suluhu was the only major candidate on the ballot.
Reports from Tanzania show that voting was marked by chaos, violence, and strong police presence.
After the polls, protests erupted in several cities, with citizens chanting, “We want our country back.” Police imposed a 6 p.m. curfew, but demonstrations continued into Thursday, October 30.
Schools were closed, and government employees were told to work from home until calm returned.
Amnesty International also criticized the situation, calling it “deeply disturbing.” The rights group warned that the risk of more violence remained high.
The United States Embassy in Tanzania advised its citizens to stay indoors and avoid protest areas, citing blackouts and internet disruptions.
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