"Digital Blackout": Internet Blockade in Tanzania Parallel to Elections
In Tanzania, people have been called to the polling stations, but they don't have a real choice. At the same time, the internet was apparently largely blocked.
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Shortly before the polling stations closed in Tanzania, a nationwide internet blockade began in the East African country, following earlier indications of a digital blackout. This is reported by Netblocks, citing data on the country's connectivity. Cloudflare also makes the massive disruptions to internet connections traceable on Cloudflare. The incident occurs on Wednesday, coinciding with presidential and parliamentary elections that have been accompanied by massive accusations from human rights organizations. There have been no official statements on the internet disruptions so far.
Around 38 million eligible voters have been called to the polls, reports the dpa news agency. The polling stations are said to close at 2:00 PM Central European Time (4:00 PM local time), with the final results not expected for several days. Even because the two most promising opposing candidates were excluded from the election, the re-election of President Samia Suluhu Hassan (65) for a second term is considered certain. The ruling CCM party (Chama Cha Mapinduzi), which has governed uninterruptedly since the East African country's independence, is also expected to defend its disproportionately large absolute majority in parliament.
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The president, who has been in office since 2021, promised political openness after taking office. However, according to human rights organizations, politically motivated arrests continue to occur in the country of around 70 million inhabitants. Both Amnesty International Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch accuse the security authorities of arresting opposition members. There is also censorship and intimidation. The largest opposition party in parliament to date is not allowed to participate in the elections. Its chairman, Tundu Lissu, is facing treason charges in ongoing proceedings.
(mho)
