Close race as presidential election results trickle in

Dar es Salaam. As vote counting continues, CCM’s presidential candidate Dr John Magufulil is still leading in the preliminary results against his main challenger Edward Lowassa of Chadema.

For the second day running, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) chairman Damian Lubuva continued releasing results of the counted votes.

By press time yesterday the results of 88 out of 264 constituencies had been announced. Provisional results from NEC in 113 constituencies show that CCM’s Dr Magufuli had garnered 1,902,353 votes, while his closest rival Mr Lowassa polled 1,345,847 votes.

According to Mr Lubuva, other presidential election results were to be announced as they were filed to NEC from across the country until all the 264 constituencies were accomplished.

The ruling party, which has been in power for over 50 years, is facing stiff competition from a coalition of four parties of Chadema, CUF, NCCR-Mageuzi and NLD. The polls are the country’s tightest ever.

The two sides are battling it out in different regions, with the opposition banking on votes from Mbeya and Dar es Salaam regions where it enjoys a mammoth support.

According to the schedule issued on Monday, the winner is expected to be announced tomorrow and a certificate of victory is expected to be handed over to him at a short ceremony on Friday, according to Mr Lubuva.

The swearing in ceremony would be on November 5, President Jakaya Kikwete said on Sunday as he cast his vote at Msoga Village in Chalinze Constituency.