Dar es Salaam, Nov 1 (NationPress) The current President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, representing the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi, has emerged victorious in the presidential elections, garnering an impressive 97.66% of the votes, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday.

INEC Chairperson Jacobs Mwambegele declared, "I confirm that Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) is the winner of the presidential elections, having received 31,913,866 votes, which corresponds to 97.66% of the total ballots cast," in the capital city of Dodoma.

With this win, Hassan becomes Tanzania's first elected female President. She had previously held the position of Vice President from 2015 until 2021, taking over the presidency in March 2021 after the passing of then-President John Magufuli due to heart-related issues, marking a significant milestone as the nation’s first female leader.

On Wednesday, Tanzanians participated in general elections, a process that occurs every five years, allowing voters to select their president, parliamentary members, and local council representatives, with 17 political parties presenting presidential candidates and 18 competing for parliamentary and local posts.

Hassan triumphed over 16 opposition candidates, reinforcing her party’s enduring influence in Tanzania's political arena, as reported by the Xinhua news agency. However, the elections were overshadowed by protests in the port city of Dar es Salaam, where demonstrators accused the government of suppressing the opposition after significant candidates were excluded from the presidential race.

Reports indicate that clashes broke out between demonstrators and law enforcement, leading to police firing into crowds to control the situation. Numerous police stations, gas stations, commuter buses, and polling areas suffered damage amid the disturbances.

The government responded by imposing a curfew in Dar es Salaam, with subsequent reports of internet service disruptions.

In October 2023, the Tanzanian President visited India, where both nations agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.

Tanzania stands as India's largest development partner in Africa, with India extending support in various sectors including skill development, capacity building, vocational training, agriculture, health, and water supply.