(CNN) -- Partial election results Monday indicated a close race between Tanzania's ruling party and two challenging parties as the president of the relatively peaceful east African nation sought a second term.
President Jakaya Kikwete of the ruling party CCM, or Chama Cha Mapinduzi, won by a landslide 80 percent in 2005, but was facing some of the strongest opposition since the nation took on multiparty politics in the 1990s.
After Sunday's balloting, the CCM and the challenging Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Party for Democracy and Progress - Chadema), and Civic United Front (CUF) parties each claimed victory in the presidential, parliamentary and local races.
Vote counting was still going on Monday, with final results of the general election expected to be announced on Tuesday or Wednesday.
The number of eligible voters in Sunday's general elections reached about 19.67 million and about 51,380 polling centers were set up, according to the National Electoral Commission.
Kikwete has pledged to improve education facilities and cut down on poverty in the nation. A majority of Tanzanians live below the poverty line, the International Monetary Fund says.
CNN
