Magufuli receives winner’s certificate for the presidency in Dar

Dr John Magufuli has officially received the General Election winner's certificate for the presidency at an early morning ceremony in Dar es Salaam.

NEC Chairman Judge Damian Lubuva handed the certificate to Dr Magufuli and his running mate Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan who is destined to be the first woman vice president in Tanzania.

The ceremony was attended by top Government leaders led by President Jakaya Kikwete, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda and scores of foreign dignitaries, including the Common Wealth election observer team leader and former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan as well as Armando Guebuza of Mozambique.

The main opposition challenger for the race Mr Edward Lowassa who has disputed the election outcome did not attend the function but other smaller candidates were in attendance

Magufuli won the tight race with 8.8 million votes, beating his closest rival with a margin of 2.8 million votes. Speaking on behalf of the opposition, Anna Mghwira of ACT-Wazalendo accepted the victory of Dr Magufuli and challenged him to implement the ‘change’ which was used by political parties during the campaign. “I beg the president-elect to implement ‘change’ which is the desire of all Tanzanians.

The first change is to bring us a new constitution which will be the product of the people’s opinions and other significant changes will follow,” said Mghwira. According to Mghwira, Dk Magufuli has to strengthen national unity, to promote gender-equality, and to improve the economy and fight poverty.

 By Matern Kayera, Mwananchi Digital