Tanzania's main opposition rejects Hassan's election win after deadly protests

Tanzania's main opposition party rejected President Samia Suluhu Hassan's landslide victory in elections that triggered deadly protests across the East African nation over the exclusion of her key challengers from the fray.



The main opposition party CHADEMA, which was barred from the election for refusing to sign a code of conduct and whose leader Tundu Lissu was arrested for treason in April, said late on Saturday that the results were "completely fabricated".



It added, "CHADEMA strongly rejects the so-called election results announced by the National Electoral Commission. These results have no basis in reality, as the truth is that no genuine election took place in Tanzania," it said on X.



"The countrywide demonstrations are clear proof that citizens did not take part in what is being called an election, and that they reject anyone emerging from this flawed electoral process," the party added in the statement on its account.



There was no immediate reaction from the government to CHADEMA's statement.



Some demonstrators tore down banners of Hassan and set ablaze government buildings while police fired tear gas and gunshots, according to witnesses of the protests that erupted during Wednesday's vote for president and parliament.