John Magufuli has deployed a two-pronged approach to his bid for re-election: woo rural voters by pointing to all that he has done for them, and curb free speech to stymie opposition parties.

The 61-year-old Tanzanian president is seeking a second term in an unusually tight election on Wednesday that has seen a resurgence of his opponents —  some of whom have joined forces — despite a ban on their public rallies. Magufuli’s effort to stifle the opposition and other alleged voter irregularities have fuelled concerns about the fairness of the ballot...

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