Tanzanians vote in tightest race in country’s history

A Tanzanian woman is directed on where to cast her vote as elections started on Sunday morning, October 25, 2015. The presidential election, seen as tight race, pits CCM's John Magufuli and Chadema's Edward Lowassa. AFP PHOTO | DANIEL HAYDUK

What you need to know:

  • Analysts have warned that the unusually tight race could spark tensions.
  • Polls close as 4pm and election officials say they expect the results of the presidential race within three days.
  • Both Magufuli and Lowassa have made repeated calls for the preservation of peace and national unity.

DAR ES SALAAM

Tanzanians started voting in presidential and general elections Sunday, in what is expected to be the tightest race in the history of east Africa's most populous country.

Long lines of voters began gathering hours before dawn in the main city of Dar es Salaam, with centres there opening on time at 7am and queues moving quickly.

Analysts say the presidential race will pit John Magufuli of the long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), seen as the narrow favourite, against former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, a CCM stalwart who recently defected to the opposition Chadema, heading a coalition of parties.

Both have spent the past two months flying by helicopter across the huge country wooing voters, holding colourful rallies with thousands of flag-waving supporters.

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.

"I want to lead the country to development and good welfare," Magufuli said in one of his final campaign speeches.

"Everyone deserves a better life irrespective of his or her political inclination."

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 spent years being one of the CCM's strongest supporters, but on the campaign trail he has called for an end to the party's rule.

"This regime has outlived its usefulness," Lowassa said at his final rally late Saturday, repeating his calls to "kick CCM out of office, the regime that has failed the nation for all the 54 years it has been in office."

'VOTE PEACEFULLY'

Lowassa, who cast his vote in the remote centre at Ngarash, in the northern Arusha district, said he was "confident of winning" as he called on people to "vote peacefully."

Outgoing President Jakaya Kikwete, who is not running having served his constitutional two-term limit, has ordered the police to boost security to ensure calm in the country of some 52 million people.

Kikwete, at a final rally for the CCM, made a rare direct attack on Lowassa — a long-time former colleague — whom he called "corrupt and greedy", and accused him of seizing land illegally while he was lands minister.

"This is going to be the toughest, but most exciting election in the country's history," said veteran politician Pius Msekwa, a former CCM party vice-chairman, and vice chancellor of the University of Dar es Salaam.

Polls close as 4pm and election officials say they expect the results of the presidential race within three days.

"If you lose, accept defeat," former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, who heads a team of Commonwealth election observers, said ahead of the vote.

As well as a presidential race, voters will also be casting ballots in parliamentary and local polls on Sunday, including on the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, just off mainland Tanzania, which will also hold its own presidential elections.

Both Magufuli and Lowassa have made repeated calls for the preservation of peace and national unity in speeches denouncing tribalism, religious violence and corruption.

FEAR OF UNREST

On Zanzibar, campaigning has been largely peaceful, but residents have stockpiled food and water, fearful of possible unrest after the polls on islands, famed for their pristine white sand beaches and UNESCO-listed architecture.

"I am happy, as the mood of the voting seems good — and the exercise started on time," said Rahma Ahmed, after voting on the Indian Ocean island.

Leading candidates in the Zanzibar vote 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 are currently sharing power in a unity government.
"I am confident of victory, and ready to serve Zanzibaris for the second term," Shein said, after casting his vote at a primary school in Bungi, a village some 20 kilometres (15 miles) south of Zanzibar town.