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What John Magufuli’s re-election means for Tanzania
Tanzanian President John Magufuli won a second term, with a landslide victory of more than 84 per cent of the vote in this year’s election. However, Magufuli’s main challenger, Tundu Lissu, of the Party for Democracy and Progress said that the election was full of fraud, and he called on the international community not to accept the results. Dr. Richard Mbunda, Lecturer, Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Dar es Salaam joins CNBC Africa for more.
Wed, 04 Nov 2020 15:06:32 GMT
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AI Generated Summary
- Magufuli's Chama Cha Mapinduzi party secures a dominant position in Parliament
- Mixed reactions to the election results fuel tension as opposition challenges credibility
- Calls for international intervention and scrutiny amidst allegations of electoral fraud
Tanzania's President John Magufuli secured a second term in office following a landslide victory, garnering over 84 percent of the votes in the recent election. However, Magufuli's closest contender, Tundu Lissu of the Party for Democracy and Progress, raised concerns about the integrity of the election, alleging widespread fraud and urging the international community to reject the results. To delve into the implications of Magufuli's re-election and the controversies surrounding the vote, CNBC Africa welcomed Dr. Richard Mbunda, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Dar es Salaam, for an in-depth analysis. The outcome of the election has highlighted the dominance of Magufuli's Chama Cha Mapinduzi party and the dwindling influence of opposition voices in Parliament. It is anticipated that the opposition bloc will be significantly marginalized, with only a handful of representatives likely to be appointed through special women's seats. The response to the election results has been polarized, with some opposition parties rejecting the outcome and calling for peaceful protests to voice their discontent. While international observers have largely endorsed the election as credible, local observers have expressed reservations, citing irregularities that warrant further scrutiny. Despite challenges in the electoral process, including logistical hurdles in managing a vast electorate of 29 million people, it may be premature to dismiss the overall fairness of the election. The detention of opposition leaders and calls for international intervention have added fuel to the post-election turmoil, raising questions about the potential for external intervention. Reflecting on the campaign period, the divergence between party promises and electoral outcomes underscores the complex dynamics at play in Tanzanian politics. Magufuli's administration made ambitious pledges to key voting demographics, such as youth and farmers, which may have swayed the election in his favor despite opposition rallies drawing large crowds. As the country grapples with the aftermath of a contentious election, the path ahead will be shaped by how political actors navigate the diverging narratives surrounding the legitimacy of the electoral process.
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