– Opposition claim Zanzibar win –
“Let election officials in the districts announce the results of parliamentary and civic polls, while the NEC will release results in the presidential election,” the NEC’s Lubuva added.
“If this is not controlled it can trigger confusion and public unrest.”
Many believe 55-year old Magufuli – currently minister of works, for which he earned the nickname “The Bulldozer” – will face a tough challenge from Lowassa, 62.
Lowassa was prime minister from 2005 until his resignation in 2008 over corruption allegations that he denies, and has for years been a CCM loyalist, but on the campaign trail he called for an end to the party’s rule.
Outgoing President Jakaya Kikwete, who is not running having served his constitutional two-term limit, ordered the police to boost security to ensure calm in the country of 52 million people, of whom 22 million were registered to vote.
The presidential results are not expected until Thursday.
In Zanzibar, leading candidates are incumbent President Ali Mohamed Shein of the ruling CCM, and current Vice-President Seif Sharif Hamad from the opposition Civic United Front (CUF), who shared power in a unity government.
Hamad, 71, claimed on Monday to have won, although there has been no announcement from the electoral commission and the figures he quoted to declare victory could not be verified.
The archipelago’s capital, Zanzibar town, was reported to be quiet overnight Monday, with large numbers of police patrolling the streets, according to an AFP photographer.
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