Tanzania opposition leader suspended from campaign

Tanzania's National Electoral Commission (NEC) has barred the main opposition presidential candidate, Tundu Lissu, from campaigning for a week.

It comes at a critical time with the elections at the end of the month.

The NEC said its ethics committee had taken the decision following complaints from the ruling CCM party and the opposition NRA party.

The parties accused Mr Lissu of falsely claiming that President John Magufuli had held a secret meeting with district bosses with the intention of influencing the outcome of the polls.

Mr Lissu was also accused of calling on the public not to accept any vote rigging, urging them to take to the streets in protest, the BBC's Aboubakar Famau reports.

Mr Lissu denies the accusations and has the right to appeal against the suspension of his campaign.