Mbeya – More than 190 people have been arrested after the election on suspicions of involvement in acts of violence and damaging properties of Rungwe and Mbozi District Council amid the vote counting.
According to Ahmed Msangi, Mbeya Regional Police Commander (RPC), 158 people have been arrested in Rungwe district and 28 more in Mbozi district.
He said when counting of votes were undergoing the supporters of various political parties sang derogatory songs against certain aspirants. They started attacking the police too with stones, sticks and empty bottles.
The mob burnt Bajaj tricycle that was parked near to the office. They damaged properties like burning of a vehicle valued at 85m/- and also of George Emmanuel. The office of Ward Executive Officer was burnt too that injured several people.
Meanwhile, from the counting center it is reported the CCM Union presidential candidate Dr John Magufuli is ahead of Edward Lowasssa of CHADEMA by 1,912,000 votes.
The official announcement says Magufuli has reached 6,105,304 votes and Lowassa is at 4,193,304 votes. This mean the percentage ratio is 58.6 to 40.3.
Cord leader Raila Odinga is confident Magufuli will be the next president of Tanzania. He has sent a goodwill message to him.
He wrote, “Please accept my warmest congratulations personally and on behalf of the Orange Democratic Movement, the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy and Kenyan people.”
He also called on Kenyan leaders to learn from Tanzania on how to conduct a peaceful election.
This was the tightest election in the history of Tanzania after independence.
