By Our Reporter
The Commission of Inquiry into the October 29, 2025 unrest has concluded that the violence was intended to disrupt and undermine the General Election, citing coordinated attacks on voting infrastructure and election personnel.
Presenting the findings to President Samia Suluhu Hassan at State House on April 23, 2026, the commission’s chairman, retired Chief Justice Mohamed Othman Chande, said the evidence points to a deliberate effort to obstruct the electoral process.
“Based on the evidence presented before the commission, the primary objective of the October 2025 unrest was to disrupt and prevent the General Election,” Justice Chande said.
He noted that the intent was reflected in a series of targeted actions, including destruction of polling stations, attacks on security officers deployed at voting centres, and assaults on election officials and party agents.
The report also cites damage to property belonging to election supervisors, as well as intimidation and harm directed at citizens who turned out to vote.
“These actions demonstrate a coordinated attempt to interfere with the conduct of the election and deny citizens their democratic right to participate,” he said.
The findings were presented as part of the commission’s broader report on the incidents that occurred during and after the General Election, which has provided a detailed account of the nature, scale and underlying drivers of the unrest.
The conclusion reinforces concerns about electoral security and highlights the need for stronger safeguards to protect voting processes, infrastructure and participants during future elections.
The report is expected to inform policy and operational reforms aimed at strengthening election management, security coordination and public confidence in the country’s democratic processes.
