– Magufuli takes early lead –
In the national presidential race, John Magufuli of the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) is seen as the narrow favourite to beat ex-prime minister Edward Lowassa, a CCM stalwart who recently defected to Chadema, which is heading a coalition of opposition parties.
With just 10 percent of districts counted, Magufuli took an early lead, winning over 455,454 votes compared to Lowassa’s 308,240 votes, from 27 out of 260 constituencies.
Agriculture minister Stephen Wasira – a veteran CCM politician of over three decades – lost his seat to Chadema.
“This shows the potential of our young candidates – Wasira had been minister and in parliament for over 30 years but he lost to a young lady, Ester Bulaya,” said top Chadema official John Mrema.
Other ousted CCM heavyweights include investment minister Christopher Chiza, deputy health minister Stephen Kebwe and deputy education minister Anna Kilango.
Analysts have warned that the unusually tight race could spark tensions, with the opposition providing the first credible challenge to the CCM since the introduction of multi-party democracy in 1995.
African Union Commission chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma praised Tanzania for the conduct of the elections, but also warned candidates to put “their country above all other interests” as results are announced.
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