Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (PANA) – Some 23 million voters headed to the polls last Sunday as Tanzania holds what is considered to be the most keenly-contested general elections since its independence 54 years ago.
The interest in the elections, which will see the emergence of a new President, legislators and local authorities, has been fired by the increased chance which the opposition has to defeat the ruling party, which was in power for over five decades.
According to opinion polls, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party is still believed to be slightly ahead, but the party can only write off the four-party opposition coalition, Ukawa, at its own peril.
Incumbent President Jakaya Kikwete is not running again after two terms, leaving the stage for 55-year-old John Magufuli of the CCM, who has promised to improve on CCM’s progress.
As campaign rounded off on Saturday, the CCM candidate, who is the Works Ministers, promised to fight corruption and create jobs, among others.
Also on the stage is Edward Lowassa, 62, who has the backing of four opposition parties. He left the CCM after the party failed to select him as its presidential candidate.
Lowassa, a former Prime Minister, promised to make the country prosperous as against being a poor nation, 54 years after its independence.
Turnout has been impressive and voting has been orderly and peaceful so far in the 63,000 open polling stations.
To ensure a faster voting process, only 450 people could vote in each polling station.
