New Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform (beta)

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The Revolutionary Party of Tanzania (CCM, effectively in power since Tanzania's independence from Britain in 1961) retained its parliamentary majority, but saw its share of seats reduced. It took 189 of the 264 directly elected seats (71%, see note 1), down from 186 of the 239 seats (78%) in the 2010 elections. The opposition Coalition of the People's Constitution (Ukawa, see note 2) took 34 seats, up from 23. Elections in Zanzibar archipelago were annulled for not being free and fair, after physical fights involving rival electoral commissioners. In the presidential elections, the Works Minister John Magufuli (CCM) defeated former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, who was endorsed by Ukawa. Mr. Lowassa left the CMM to join the main opposition party, Chadema, after failing to win the CCM primary for the presidential candidate in July 2015. He rejected the election results. Mr. Magufuli is due to succeed President Jakaya Kikwete (CCM), who was constitutionally barred from seeking a third term in December. Ms. Samia Hassan Suluhu will become the first woman Vice-President of the country. During the election campaign, the major parties focused on education and health, promising free education and health insurance for all. The 2015 elections followed the postponement of a constitutional referendum, scheduled for 30 April. Ukawa, which had called in vain for reduced presidential powers and a federal system with a three-government structure (consisting of mainland Tanzania, the semi-autonomous Zanzibar archipelago and a union of the two), called for a boycott of the constitutional referendum. It was postponed indefinitely due to delays in the registration of voters. Note 1: In addition, there are 113 seats reserved for women (attributed to political parties in proportion to their share of the electoral vote), five members from Zanzibar (two of whom must be women), 10 members appointed by the President (five of whom must be women) and the Attorney General. The Speaker may be designated from outside Parliament and becomes a member of parliament by virtue of holding the office of Speaker. Note 2: Ukawa (Umoja wa Katiba ya Wananchi) comprises Chadema (Party for Democracy and Development, led by Mr. Freeman Mbowe), the Civic United Front (CUF, led by Mr. Ibrahim Lipumba), NCCR-Mageuzi (led by Mr. James Mbatia) and the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Mr. Emmanuel Makaidi. The coalition was formed following the opposition's rejection of the constitution-making process in 2014.