Tanzania Holds National Elections to choose a new Leader after President Jakaya Kikwete Term expires in 2015

Sunday October, 25,  2015,

Tanzania voters form Long Queues to Cast their Votes

Today is the all important day for Tanzania as it calendar marks National elections to find a new president.

Tanzania is holding its National Elections to elect a new leader after President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete two terms in office expires this year.

This marks a new era in a hotly contested election between Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), the Tanzania Ruling Party headed by John Magufuli as the presidential bearer and the more united opposition party headed by Edward Lowassa as the presidential flag bearer.

This has been marked as the most hotly contested election and seen as a possible challenge to unseat the Chama cha Mapinduzi Party which has held into power since Tanzania got her independence.

CCM Party produced the first President of Tanzania the Late Mwalimu Julius Kabarage Nyerere who ruled under Ujamaa. It then went ahead to produce all other former Presidents including Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Benjamin Mkapa.

Top Election Contenders

John Magufuli of CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) political party, the ruling party

He is 55 years old and is the current Tanzania Minister for Works. His campaign Agenda promises change and to improve on the pace of progress laid down by the previous CCM government

Edward Lowassa of Ukawa political party

He is 62 years old and defected from CCM when it left him out as its presidential flag bearer. He is being backed by 4 opposition political parties.
He served as Tanzanians Prime Minister and resigned over corruption scandal in energy sector which he has since denies involvement in.

Elections Credibility Reports

There has been unconfirmed reports of election fraud by the opposition party. The opposition claims there are election malpractice involving stuffing of ballot boxes in Tanzania CCM strongholds by the rulling party.

Election Observers

Good Luck Jonathan, the former president of the Federal republic of Nigeria delivered a speech about accepting defeat. He was ousted from power by Current Federal republic of Nigerias President Boharri through a popular elections following widespread protest over his failure to tackle corruption and Boko Haram terror group.

African Union Observer Mission and European Observer Mission have rolled out their activities in Tanzania to monitor the elections.

Former Kenya Vice President Moody Awori who served under Former President Mwai Kibaki National Rainbow Government is also in Tanzania following up on elections as an election observer.

A Brief on all Tanzania Presidents since Independence in 1962

The Late Julius Nyerere:
Term in Office: (1962–1964)
Country: Tanganyika:
Political Party: Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) Year: 1962 - 1964

The Late Julius Nyerere:
Term in Office: (1964–1985)
Country: Tanzania: (Tanzania Birth comes after the unification of Mainland Tanganyika and Zanzibar Island)
Political Party: Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) Year: 1964 - 1977
Political Party: Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Year: 1977 - 1985

Ali Hassan Mwinyi - Term in Office: (1985–1995)
Country: Tanzania
Political Party: Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Year: 1985 - 1995

Benjamin Mkapa - Term in Office: (1995–2005)
Country: Tanzania
Political Party: Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Year: 1995 - 2005

Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (is the current sitting President whose term expires in 2015)
Term in Office: (2005–2015)
Country: Tanzania
Political Party: Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Year: 2005 - 2015