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Legislators

Tanzania Finalizes Preparations for General Elections

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Tanzania's Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that it has completed preparations for the country's general elections, scheduled for this week. The polls will see 37.6 million registered voters cast ballots to elect the president, members of parliament, and councilors across Tanzania, with 36.65 million voters in mainland Tanzania and 996,303 in Zanzibar. The elections will take place at 99,895 polling stations nationwide, with voting starting at 7:00 a.m. and closing at 4:00 p.m. local time.

Key Takeaways:

  • 37.6 million registered voters will cast ballots in the general elections, with 36.65 million in mainland Tanzania and 996,303 in Zanzibar.
  • 17 political parties have fielded presidential and vice-presidential candidates, while 18 parties are contesting parliamentary and local council seats.
  • A total of 1,729 candidates are competing for parliamentary positions, and 7,239 contesting for councilor positions.
  • Women represent 32 percent of parliamentary aspirants and 10 percent of councilor contestants.
  • The elections will take place at 99,895 polling stations nationwide.
  • Voting will start at 7:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. local time.
  • For the first time, prisoners serving sentences of up to six months, remand prisoners in mainland Tanzania, and inmates in Zanzibar's training institutions will be allowed to vote in the presidential election.
  • Jacobs Mwambegele, chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission, has urged citizens to exercise their constitutional right peacefully and responsibly.

Statistics:

  • 37,600,000 registered voters will participate in the general elections.
  • 36,650,000 registered voters are in mainland Tanzania.
  • 996,303 registered voters are in Zanzibar.
  • 99,895 polling stations are established nationwide.
  • 17 political parties have fielded presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
  • 18 political parties are contesting parliamentary and local council seats.
  • 1,729 candidates are competing for parliamentary positions.
  • 7,239 candidates are contesting for councilor positions.
  • 32 percent of parliamentary aspirants are women.
  • 10 percent of councilor contestants are women.
  • Voting will take place over a period of 9 hours, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time.

Sources:

  • Xinhua via COMTEX, October 28, 2025

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