File photo taken on Oct. 25, 2015 shows that John Magufuli, presidential candidate of Tanzania's ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi, casts his vote at Magufuli Primary School in Geita Region, Tanzania. John Magufuli won the presidential election, the National Electoral Commission announced on Thursday. (Xinhua/Adam Mzee)
DAR ES SALLAM, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's ruling party candidate John Magufuli won the presidential election, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) announced on Thursday.
The Tanzanian ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) retained power after its presidential canditate won about 58 percent of the overall votes.
Magufuli, the Minister for Works under the administration of President Jakaya Kikwete who is ending his two five-year terms, competed with the presidential hopeful for main opposition Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), former Prime Minister Lowassa.
The ruling party CCM, which has been in power for more than 50 years was facing stiff competition from a coalition of four opposition parties led by CHADEMA in this election.
According to the NEC, Magufuli garnerd a total of 8,882,935 votes and Lowassa got 6,072,848 votes.
CHADEMA is campaigning on a coalition of three other opposition parties of Civic United Front (CUF), National League for Democracy and NCCR-Mageuzi.
Lowassa defected from the ruling CCM in July after the party dismissed him from running for the presidency and opted to nominate Magufuli.
Over 22 million voters went to the polls across the country on Sunday, the second largest economy after Kenya in the east African region.
