• Tanzania's elections proceed without major opposition candidates, raising concerns over democratic integrity.
• President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to secure victory amid allegations of repression against critics.
• Human rights organizations report widespread abuses and enforced disappearances in the lead-up to the vote.
• Protests erupted in Dar es Salaam following voting, leading to police curfews and internet disruptions.
• Voter turnout appears low, particularly among younger citizens who express frustration over political exclusion.

Tanzania's presidential and parliamentary elections have commenced amid significant concerns following the disqualification of leading opposition candidates. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who stepped into the role after the death of John Magufuli in 2021, is poised for a likely victory, particularly as the two main opposition parties, Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo, have been barred from participating. This barrier has been attributed to restrictive measures against major players such as Tundu Lissu, who is imprisoned on treason charges. The disqualification of these candidates has led to accusations of an unfair electoral process, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The Tanzanian government, led by the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party since independence in 1961, faces allegations of a systematic crackdown on dissent ahead of the elections. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both noted an uptick in human rights violations, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of opposition figures and activists. Human rights groups argue that these actions compromise the electoral integrity and reflect a detachment from democratic principles, as indicated by reports from Africanews and Reuters.

Voter turnout has reportedly been low across the nation, particularly among younger demographics disenchanted by the political landscape. Protests erupted in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, where demonstrators expressed their frustration over the exclusion of substantial opposition candidates. Police responded with curfews and disrupted internet services. Witness accounts detail instances of violent confrontations between protesters and security forces, as documented by Al Jazeera and Africanews.

The ongoing situation highlights the complexities facing Tanzania's governance and political framework under Hassan’s administration. Despite her early promises for reforms, rights organizations argue there has been a retrogressive trend towards authoritarianism during her tenure, raising alarms on the nation's democratic future. Analysts consider that the elections are critical for evaluating the governance direction under Hassan, especially following the prominent inclusion of only minor party candidates in this electoral matchup, according to Al Jazeera and Africanews.