Tanzania's ruling party candidate won presidential elections with over 58 per cent of votes, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) said today, but the opposition also claimed victory. "I duly declare John Pombe Magufuli to have been duly elected President of the United Republic of Tanzania," NEC chief Damian Lubuva announced. The win by Magufuli cements the long-running Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party's firm grip on power, after ruling Tanzania since 1977 when two independence-era parties merged. Magufuli won 58.46 per cent of votes.