CCM names John Magufuli as flagbearer ahead of Tanzania elections

Tanzania’s ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has picked Works Minister John Magufuli as its candidate in this year’s presidential race.

The party, which commands a large following in the country, has ruled Tanzania for five decades thus placing Magufuli as the likely candidate to take over from the incumbent President Jakaya Kikwete, whose two term reign ends in October.

Magufuli won the vote after garnering 2,104 votes which reflected an 87 per cent of the delegates who participated in the polls.

His closest rival, Ambassador Amina Salum Ali, managed 253 votes, which was 10.5 per cent of the total votes, while the Deputy Secretary General of the Dar es Salaam Unity Dr Asha-Rose Migiro managing 59, 3 per cent of the total votes.

Magufuli was among the 40 candidates shortlisted for the position, including Vice President Mohamed Bilal, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda and former Prime Ministers Edward Lowassa and Fredrick Sumaye.

It is yet to be decided who Magufuli’s running mate will be although reports indicate that runner up Amina Salum Ali, who hails from Zanzibar has a high chance of taking up the position.

The General Elections will be held on October 25, 2015.