President John Magufuli’s Revolutionary Party of Tanzania (CCM, effectively in power since Tanzania's independence from the United Kingdom in 1961) took 350 of the 377 seats at stake (see note 1), up from 253 seats in 2015. The main opposition, Chadema (Party for Democracy and Development, led by Mr. Freeman Mbowe), reduced its share of seats from 70 to 20. Its Deputy Chairman Tundu Lissu, who returned from exile in July, won the sole directly elected seat for the party in 2020; Chadema had previously won 34 such seats.

In the presidential elections held in parallel with the parliamentary elections, President Magufuli was declared re-elected. His main rival Mr. Lissu (Chadema) and ACT-Wazalendo (the main opposition party in Zanzibar led by Mr. Seif Sharif Hamad) denounced the election results and called for new elections and mass protests. The National Electoral Commission denied the claims, saying they were unfounded. On 5 November, President Magufuli was sworn in for a second term (see note 2)

Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, Tanzania did not take extensive measures against the virus. During election campaigning, the CCM ran on the government’s record, citing infrastructure projects as evidence of success. In July, the World Bank announced that the country’s economy had been upgraded from low to lower middle income status. Chadema promised several reforms, including a new constitution and the reduction of VAT and corporate tax.

Note 1:
They include 264 directly elected members, 113 women elected by political parties in proportion to their share of the electoral vote, and 5 members from Zanzibar. In addition, up to 10 members may be appointed by the President, and the Attorney General is an ex-officio member. The Speaker may be designated from outside Parliament and becomes a member of parliament by virtue of holding the office of Speaker.

Note 2:
On 18 March 2021, the government announced President John Magufuli had passed away. Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan succeeded him, thereby becoming the first woman in Tanzania to assume the presidency.