CCM takes Tanzania election lead

Enlarge Image

Tanzania's governing party has taken an initial lead in Wednesday's parliamentary and presidential polls, the electoral commission says.

Out of 176 constituencies declared, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has taken 150 in the 232-seat parliament.

While in the presidential race so far, CCM's Jakaya Kikwete is ahead of his rivals by more than 390,000 votes.

Despite violence on Zanzibar, Africa Union observers say the poll was mostly peaceful and should be respected.

Sixteen constituencies have been declared in presidential results.

Opposition Chadema presidential candidate Freeman Mbowe, with 59,929 votes so far, says the initial results are "surprising and disappointing".

Turnout was high and the only reports of violence came from Zanzibar, where opposition protesters were hurt in clashes with police.

Poor performance

Eighteen political parties are contesting parliamentary seats.

INITIAL RESULTS Parliamentary CCM: 150 seats CUF: 19 seats (in Zanzibar) Chadema: 5 seats TLP : 1 seat UDP : 1 seat Presidential CCM's J Kikwete: 450,000 votes Chadema's F Mbowe: 59,929 votes CUF's I Lipumba: 57,926 votes Q&A: Tanzania vote

The BBC's Vicky Ntetema in Dar es Salaam says the opposition have performed badly in former strongholds like Kilimanjaro, where Chadema retained only one of nine parliamentary seats.

"It's surprising and disappointing of course and it's definitely not good for the whole democratic process of the country," Mr Mbowe told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.

The Civic United Front (CUF) retained its seats on Zanzibar, but has lost two constituencies on the mainland.

Ten candidates are in the running to replace Benjamin Mkapa, who is standing down after serving the maximum two terms.

The election had been delayed for several weeks following the death of a vice-presidential candidate.

Campaigning ended on a dramatic note on Tuesday, when presidential frontrunner Mr Kikwete collapsed at a rally.

The ruling party candidate later blamed his collapse on exhaustion. He is expected to win the vote and become the next president.