Tanzania’s election board approved 15 candidates to run in the general elections scheduled for October including President John Magufuli, reported CGTN Africa. Magufuli is seeking final re-election for a five-year term. The presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 28.
A total of 17 aspirants collected nomination forms from NEC earlier this month. But Tanzania’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) approved candidacy of only 15 candidates. The final list include the names of Dr. John Magufuli (CCM), Leopold Mahona (NRA), John Shibuda (ADA-Tadea), Mutamwega Mgaywa (SAU), Jeremiah Magan- ja (NCCR), Cecilia Mbaga (DM), Prof Ibrahim Lipumba (CUF) and Philipo Fumbo (DP).
Others are Mr. Bernard Membe (ACT-Wazalendo), Ms Queen Sendiga (ADC), Mr Hashim Rungwe (Chaum- ma), Mr Khalfan Mazrui (UMD), Mr Seif Maalim Seif (AAFP), Mr Twalib Kadege (UPDP) and Mr Tundu Lissu (Chadema).
President Magufuli’s main challengers are Tundu Lissu, who returned to Tanzania last month after spending nearly three years in Belgium for treatment after he was shot during an assassination attempt, and ex-foreign minister Bernard Membe, who was expelled from the governing Chama Cha Mapinduzi party in February.
Magufuli’s party has governed Tanzania since independence in 1961. He came to power in 2015 promising to end corruption and expand infrastructure. But his strict governing style has earned him a nickname – the Bulldozer – originally bestowed on him during his time as public works minister.
Rights groups and the opposition have accused Magufuli of increasing repression ahead of the polls and intimidation of political rivals and the press, accusations the administration denies. Various opposition parties including the Chadema party and the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT Wazalendo) have called for an independent monitor to oversee the elections.
According to the NEC, about 29 million Tanzanians have registered to vote in this year’s election, compared to some 23 million voters registered in 2015. Tanzania has a population of about 57 million.
