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1st LD Writethru: Tanzania ruling party's Jhon Magufuli elected president: electoral body

Xinhua, October 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

Tanzanian ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party's candidate John Pombe Magufuli has won the presidential election with some 58 percent of the votes cast, the electoral commission declared on Thursday.

Magufuli, who celebrated his 56th birthday on the same day, would become the country's fifth president succeeding President Jakaya Kikwete who was completing his two five-year terms.

Magufuli's nearest opponent, former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa who was running on the opposition Chadema party, got nearly 40 percent of the votes.

However Lowassa has raised doubts over the results announced by the electoral body.

There are fears of riots by the opposition supporters but police said everything was under control.

CCM supporters were celebrating the victory.

"People are free to celebrate after the announcement of the election results but they should do so in orderly manner," said Inspector General of Police, Ernest Mangu.

International election observers have described the election as generally orderly and peaceful.

Over 22 million people went to the polls on Sunday to choose a new president and members of parliament in East Africa's second largest economy. Endit