Tanzania’s general election day a moment meant to showcase democracy spiraled into tension and uncertainty as the government imposed a curfew in Dar es Salaam and shut down internet services nationwide amid escalating street protests and reports of violence.

According to Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Jumanne Muliro, the curfew took effect at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday and will remain in force “until peace and order are restored.” He, however, stopped short of stating how long the restrictions would last, further fueling confusion and panic among citizens.

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Alfred Chalamila echoed Muliro’s directive, warning that security agencies would act decisively against any individuals or groups attempting to destabilize the nation.

“Even if there’s propaganda of any kind on social media about any part of the Dar es Salaam region, know that the power that will be used to control the matter is seven times greater than the force used to plan it,” he warned, in what many viewed as a veiled threat to protesters and online activists.

A Nation Disconnected

The situation took a darker turn when internet services went offline across Tanzania on election morning. According to BBC News Africa, major social media platforms, messaging apps, and even local news websites went dark leaving millions of Tanzanians cut off from digital communication during a critical political moment.

The move sparked widespread condemnation from international observers and human rights organizations, who called it a “digital blackout aimed at silencing dissent.”
Local journalists reported difficulty sharing updates, while election monitors said the shutdown compromised the transparency and credibility of the voting process.

“This is not just an internet shutdown it’s an information lockdown,” said a reporter from Dar es Salaam who requested anonymity. “People are scared, disconnected, and unsure of what’s really happening beyond their neighborhoods.”

Opposition Silenced

Protests erupted across major cities, including Arusha, Mwanza, and Zanzibar, after news broke that opposition leader Tundu Lissu of the CHADEMA Party had been detained on election eve. His arrest triggered outrage, with supporters calling the election a “one-sided affair” engineered to favor the ruling party.

“We cannot participate in a process that mocks democracy,” a CHADEMA spokesperson said before the communications blackout. “Our leader is behind bars, our people are beaten in the streets, and the world is being kept in the dark.”

Following the boycott call by CHADEMA, several polling stations reported extremely low voter turnout, despite the country having over 37 million registered voters. In some regions, polling officials reportedly waited for hours with no voters showing up, while in others, police patrols overshadowed the voting exercise.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos and fear, with police firing tear gas to disperse crowds demanding electoral fairness. Roads leading to key government buildings and polling centers were sealed off as military trucks rolled into the capital.

Fear, Silence, and the Weight of Power

By late afternoon, Dar es Salaam’s usually vibrant streets were eerily silent. Shops shuttered early, public transport halted, and families huddled indoors, fearful of being caught in clashes.

For many Tanzanians, this election feels like a repeat of 2020 when internet restrictions and alleged vote rigging cast a shadow over President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration. Despite promises of reform and transparency, this year’s events suggest a deepening democratic crisis rather than progress.

Political analysts warn that the government’s heavy-handed response could damage its global reputation and further isolate Tanzania from international partners who have long supported its democratic development.

“This is the age of digital democracy and shutting down the internet is the 21st-century equivalent of silencing the press,” said Nairobi-based analyst Dr. Mumbi Njeru. “You cannot hide the truth forever. People will find ways to speak.”

Awaiting Results in Uncertain Silence

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that official results would be released within three days of the polls closing. However, with communication lines severed and opposition parties locked out, many citizens remain skeptical about whether the results will reflect their will.

In the streets, whispers of fear and resignation mingle with frustration. “We are voting in darkness,” said 28-year-old voter Zainabu Hussein from Mwanza. “No one knows what’s happening we can’t talk, we can’t post, and we can’t trust.”

As night falls over Dar es Salaam, the hum of generators and the glow of candlelight replace the once-bustling nightlife. The government insists the curfew is to maintain peace, but to many, it feels like the beginning of a long, uncertain night for Tanzanian democracy.