United Republic of Tanzania
National Assembly
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections
Background
Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
25.10.2015
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
20.08.2015
Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
239
Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal
Candidates
Total number of candidates
Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
1,250
Number of male candidates
Number of male candidates
1,012
Number of female candidates
Number of female candidates
238
Percentage of women candidates
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
19.04%
Voter turnout
Registration
Number of people registered to vote
23,253,982
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
The Revolutionary Party of Tanzania (CCM, effectively in power since Tanzania's independence from Britain in 1961) retained its parliamentary majority, but saw its share of seats reduced. It took 189 of the 264 directly elected seats (71%, see note 1), down from 186 of the 239 seats (78%) in the 2010 elections. The opposition Coalition of the People's Constitution (Ukawa, see note 2) took 34 seats, up from 23. Elections in Zanzibar archipelago were annulled for not being free and fair, after physical fights involving rival electoral commissioners.
In the presidential elections, the Works Minister John Magufuli (CCM) defeated former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, who was endorsed by Ukawa. Mr. Lowassa left the CMM to join the main opposition party, Chadema, after failing to win the CCM primary for the presidential candidate in July 2015. He rejected the election results. Mr. Magufuli is due to succeed President Jakaya Kikwete (CCM), who was constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in December. Ms. Samia Hassan Suluhu will become the first woman Vice-President of the country.
During the election campaign, the major parties focused on education and health, promising free education and health insurance for all. The 2015 elections followed the postponement of a constitutional referendum, scheduled for 30 April. Ukawa, which had called in vain for reduced presidential powers and a federal system with a three-government structure (consisting of mainland Tanzania, the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago and a union of the two), called for a boycott of the constitutional referendum. It was postponed indefinitely due to delays in the registration of voters.
Note 1:
In addition, there are 113 seats reserved for women (attributed to political parties in proportion to their share of the electoral vote), five members from Zanzibar (two of whom must be women), 10 members appointed by the President (five of whom must be women) and the Attorney General. The Speaker may be designated from outside Parliament and becomes a member of parliament by virtue of holding the office of Speaker.
Note 2:
Ukawa (Umoja wa Katiba ya Wananchi) comprises Chadema (Party for Democracy and Development, led by Mr. Freeman Mbowe), the Civic United Front (CUF, led by Mr. Ibrahim Lipumba), NCCR-Mageuzi (led by Mr. James Mbatia) and the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Mr. Emmanuel Makaidi. The coalition was formed following the opposition's rejection of the constitution-making process in 2014.
In the presidential elections, the Works Minister John Magufuli (CCM) defeated former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, who was endorsed by Ukawa. Mr. Lowassa left the CMM to join the main opposition party, Chadema, after failing to win the CCM primary for the presidential candidate in July 2015. He rejected the election results. Mr. Magufuli is due to succeed President Jakaya Kikwete (CCM), who was constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in December. Ms. Samia Hassan Suluhu will become the first woman Vice-President of the country.
During the election campaign, the major parties focused on education and health, promising free education and health insurance for all. The 2015 elections followed the postponement of a constitutional referendum, scheduled for 30 April. Ukawa, which had called in vain for reduced presidential powers and a federal system with a three-government structure (consisting of mainland Tanzania, the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago and a union of the two), called for a boycott of the constitutional referendum. It was postponed indefinitely due to delays in the registration of voters.
Note 1:
In addition, there are 113 seats reserved for women (attributed to political parties in proportion to their share of the electoral vote), five members from Zanzibar (two of whom must be women), 10 members appointed by the President (five of whom must be women) and the Attorney General. The Speaker may be designated from outside Parliament and becomes a member of parliament by virtue of holding the office of Speaker.
Note 2:
Ukawa (Umoja wa Katiba ya Wananchi) comprises Chadema (Party for Democracy and Development, led by Mr. Freeman Mbowe), the Civic United Front (CUF, led by Mr. Ibrahim Lipumba), NCCR-Mageuzi (led by Mr. James Mbatia) and the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Mr. Emmanuel Makaidi. The coalition was formed following the opposition's rejection of the constitution-making process in 2014.
Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
5
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
105.86%
Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
No
Parties or coalitions winning seats
| Political group | Total | Directly elected | Women seats | Directly Elected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revolutionary Party of Tanzania (CCM) | 253 | 189 | 64 | |
| Chadema (Party for Democracy and Development) | 70 | 34 | 36 | |
| Civic United Front (CUF) | 42 | 32 | 10 | |
| ACT Wazalendo | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| NCCR-Mageuzi | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
236
Number of women elected
136
Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
56.9%
Note on the Distribution of seats according to sex
The distribution of seats according to sex above refers to the composition of Parliament as at 18 December 2015. There were a total of 372 members (with 21 vacancies), 136 of whom were women as follows:
- 25 elected from constituencies;
- 110 elected by political parties in proportion to their share of the electoral vote;
- 1 appointed by the President (the Deputy Speaker).
The vacancies, except for one directly elected seat, were subsequently filled and the number of women increased to 145 out of 392 members by September 2017 as follows:
- 25 elected from constituencies;
- 113 elected by political parties in proportion to their share of the electoral vote;
- 2 out of 5 members from Zanzibar appointed by the President;
- 5 out of 10 members appointed by the President (including the Deputy Speaker).
Two directly elected seats held by male members subsequently fell vacant. As at 24 November 2017, there were 145 women out of 390 members.
- 25 elected from constituencies;
- 110 elected by political parties in proportion to their share of the electoral vote;
- 1 appointed by the President (the Deputy Speaker).
The vacancies, except for one directly elected seat, were subsequently filled and the number of women increased to 145 out of 392 members by September 2017 as follows:
- 25 elected from constituencies;
- 113 elected by political parties in proportion to their share of the electoral vote;
- 2 out of 5 members from Zanzibar appointed by the President;
- 5 out of 10 members appointed by the President (including the Deputy Speaker).
Two directly elected seats held by male members subsequently fell vacant. As at 24 November 2017, there were 145 women out of 390 members.
Other notes
Note on the distribution of seats according to political group:
The distribution of seats according to political group above refers to the composition of Parliament as at 18 December 2015. There were seven vacancies among the 264 directly elected seats and three vacancies among the 113 special seats for women.
The vacancies, except for one directly elected seat, were subsequently filled, bringing the total number of members to 392. The distribution of seats as at January 2017 for 391 seats (excluding the Attorney General who does not belong to a political party) was as follows:
- Revolutionary Party of Tanzania (CCM): 277
- Chadema (Party for Democracy and Development): 71
- Civic United Front (CUF): 41
- ACT Wazalendo: 1
- NCCR-Mageuzi: 1
The distribution of seats according to political group above refers to the composition of Parliament as at 18 December 2015. There were seven vacancies among the 264 directly elected seats and three vacancies among the 113 special seats for women.
The vacancies, except for one directly elected seat, were subsequently filled, bringing the total number of members to 392. The distribution of seats as at January 2017 for 391 seats (excluding the Attorney General who does not belong to a political party) was as follows:
- Revolutionary Party of Tanzania (CCM): 277
- Chadema (Party for Democracy and Development): 71
- Civic United Front (CUF): 41
- ACT Wazalendo: 1
- NCCR-Mageuzi: 1
Sources
Parliament (18.12.2015, 01.01.2017, 22.11.2017; 24.11.2017)
National Electoral Commission
International Foundation for Electoral Systems
BBC
The Citizen
National Electoral Commission
International Foundation for Electoral Systems
BBC
The Citizen
Women Directly Elected
25
Women Indirectly Elected
110
Women Appointed
1
New legislature
Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
236
Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
136
Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
17.11.2015
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature
First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Job
Ndugai
(Male)
Political party
Revolutionary Party of Tanzania (CCM)
Date of election
17.11.2015