The candidate of Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, on Thursday became the countrys fifth president ever since the country obtained independence from colonial rule in 1961. He is set to replace President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who has completed his second five-year term.The Tanzanian National Electoral Commission (NEC) declared him winner today after a tally of official results put his vote tally at 58.46 percent, ahead of nearest rival, Edward Lowassa of Chadema and the opposition Ukawa alliance, who garnered 39.97 percent votes. The CCM candidate obtained 8, 882, 935 votes while his nearest rival got 6, 072, 848 votes. The number of eligible voters was earlier put at 22, 751, 292.There were six other candidates in the presidential race, including the only female, Anna Elisha Mghwira of the ACT party. CCM has governed Tanzania since independence from Britain in 1961.
