Tanzania's President John Magufuli addresses his supporters during his campaign rally at the Tanganyika Parkers Grounds in Kawe in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. [Reuters]Tanzania’s President John Magufuli is leading the presidential election count, preliminary results showed on Friday, after a contest this week dismissed by the opposition as a “travesty” of a poll due to widespread irregularities. Dozens of opposition party officials and members were arrested in Zanzibar on Thursday and at least one is in hospital with severe injuries after he was beaten by the police, who have not commented on the incident. Magufuli is seeking a second, five-year term, and has promised voters that he will boost the economy by completing ambitious infrastructure projects he started in his first term. Zitto Kabwe, the leader of the main opposition party in Zanzibar, ACT-Wazalendo, and Chadema’s leader in parliament, Freeman Mbowe, are among dozens of opposition candidates who have lost their seats to the ruling party.

Source: Standard Digital October 30, 2020 15:22 UTC