Tanzanian riot police patrol near posters of  opposition Civic United Front leader, Maalim Seif, top, and Chama Cha Mapinduzi candidates, bottom

Elections in mainland Tanzania, scheduled to be held October 30, have been postponed until December because of the death of a running mate of one of the presidential candidates. But elections will still proceed in the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar.

Tanzania's National Electoral Commission announced late Thursday that elections in mainland Tanzania will now be held December 18.  Elections had been scheduled for October 30, but were postponed following the death of Jumbe Rajab Jumbe. 

Mr. Jumbe, a member of the Chadema party, died early Thursday morning reportedly of a stroke.  He was the running mate to the party's presidential candidate, Freeman Mbowe.

The presidential campaign is to begin November 19.

Elections will still proceed in the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar.  On Friday, Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa is expected to come to Zanzibar's main island on a farewell visit and to lead a rally in support of the candidate for the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, or CCM.

Analysts say the race in Zanzibar is between CCM and the main opposition party, Civic United Front.

This is the third election in Tanzania since multipartyism was reinstated in 1992.