Tanzanians are voting in the presidential election preceded by a government crackdown on the opposition leaders and free speech concerns under the incumbent John Magufuli.
More than 29 million people have registered to vote in Wednesday’s election to decide the fate of President Magufuli, who is seeking re-election. Voting will be allowed until 4pm local time (13:00 GMT).
The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party has been in power since independence in 1961.
Leader of the East African nation’s top opposition parties, Freeman Mbowe of CHADEMA, on Wednesday said “my life was in danger”, claiming his hotel was raided and two of his armed security guards were taken.
Long deemed a haven of stability in East Africa, local and international observers say Tanzania has seen a worrying crackdown on the opposition and freedom of speech under President Magufuli.
Magufuli, 60, is seeking a second and final five-year term in office. While opinion polls have been banned, making it difficult to predict the outcome, many analysts see Magufuli as having strong chances of re-election.
His top opposition challenger is Tundu Lissu, a survivor of an assassination attempt in 2017, who returned from exile earlier this year to campaign. He was banned from campaigning for a week earlier this month by authorities who accused him of making seditious comments.
Lissu has urged people to stage protests on streets if election results are announced on Thursday without being counted properly. Whoever receives the most votes wins, with no second round.
Lissu posted on social media on Wednesday alleging “widespread irregularities” as voting got underway, including stuffed ballot boxes in some locations.
Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi reporting from Nairobi said there was a “lot of concern from ordinary Tanzanian people”, who were worried what might happen if the opposition “senses defeat”.
“We have been hearing very aggressive word from the opposition in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar using very aggressive tones,” Soi added.
The opposition faces a major challenge in trying to unseat the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, as 15 presidential candidates seek a win, splitting support.
-Al jazeera and news agencies
