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Elections are being held in Tanzania that will decide whether the ruling party will continue its 54-year rule or give way to a new coalition.

Final rallies were held on Saturday ahead of Sunday's presidential and parliamentary elections.

Opinion polls have put the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party ahead, but our correspondent in Tanzania says the result is expected to be close.

Four opposition groups are backing one candidate, a former CCM member.

Some of the major issues for the almost 23m registered voters include access to clean water, improved health care and better education, the BBC's Sammy Awami reports from the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.

President Jakaya Kikwete, who is standing down after two terms, has called for peace ahead of the election, adding that "anyone who tries to cause trouble will be dealt with".

The CCM was formed in 1977 from a merger of two post-colonial parties and has effectively been in power since independence in 1961.