Tanzania votes in tight election race

AFP, DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzanians voted 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 Dar es Salaam, with centres there opening on time at 7:00 am (0400 GMT) 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 ex-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.

 

Tanzania votes in tight election race

AFP, DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzanians voted in presidential and general elections Sunday, in what is expected to be the tightest race in the history of east Africas most populous country. Long lines of voters began gathering hours before dawn in the main city Dar es Salaam, with centres there opening on time at 7:00 am (0400 GMT) 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 ex-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.