Nine Tanzanian government ministers have lost their parliamentary seats to the opposition Ukawa coalition, partial results from Sunday’s vote show.
It is the biggest shock of the election so far which is the most competitive in the country’s history.
Agriculture Minister Stephen Wasira – a veteran CCM politician of over three decades – is among the high-profile ministers who lost their seats in Sunday’s election.
Others include Investment Minister Christopher Chiza, Deputy Health Minister Stephen Kebwe and Deputy Education Minister Anna Kilango Malecela.
Observers from the European Union have given a positive assessment of the polls.
But they raised several concerns – including the apparent failure of state media to give fair and equitable coverage to the opposition in the build-up to the election.
The electoral commission has until Thursday to announce the final results. BBC
