Africa-Press – Tanzania. AS Tanzania heads towards to the General Elections, the country has announced 8 new parliamentary constituencies, bringing the total number to 272 constituencies.
Of these 222 constituencies will be in the Tanzania Mainland while 50 will be in the Isles (Zanzibar).
The announcement was made on Monday by the Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Court of Appeal Judge Jacobs Mwambegele, during a media briefing in Dodoma.
Judge Mwambegele also confirmed that 3,960 wards will be used for councilor elections on the mainland.
This includes five new wards, three in the Longido District Council and two in Rufiji Town Council, added as part of the recent administrative changes.
Judge Mwembegele revealed that the Commission received 34 requests to divide existing constituencies and 10 proposals to change constituency names.
After evaluation, it approved the creation of eight new constituencies and 12 new names.
“The Commission gave special attention to four key criteria: population size, the seating capacity of Parliament, the number of special seats for women MPs, and the need to ensure a constituency does not span more than one council or district,” Judge Mwambegele said.
The new constituencies include Kivule and Chamazi in Dar es Salaam formed by dividing Ukonga and Mbagala, respectively.
In Dodoma, Dodoma Urban has been split to create Mtumba. In Mbeya, Mbeya Urban has been divided to establish Uyole, and Bariadi in Simiyu has been split to create Bariadi Urban.
In Geita, Busanda has been divided to form Katoro, while Chato has been split to establish Chato South. In Shinyanga, Solwa has been divided to create the new Itwangi Constituency.
In addition to the new constituencies, 12 have had their names changed. In Geita, Chato is now Chato North, in Kagera, Nkenge becomes Misenyi.
In Katavi, Mpanda Rural is renamed Tanganyika. In Kigoma, Buyungu becomes Kakonko. In Simiyu, Bariadi becomes Bariadi Rural.
Several changes occurred in Singida: Manyoni East becomes Manyoni, Singida North becomes Ilongelo, Manyoni West becomes Itigi, Singida East becomes Ikungi East, and Singida West is now Ikungi West. In Tabora, Tabora North is renamed Uyui, and in Tanga, Handeni Rural is now known as Handeni.
Additionally, Judge Mwambegele urged the citizens to take note of the boundary changes and participate actively in the upcoming election process.
“I encourage all citizens to pay attention to the revised electoral boundaries so they can effectively exercise their democratic rights, whether by running for office or casting their votes on Election Day,” he said.
He also called on the public to continue turning out for the ongoing update of the permanent voter register in the remaining 16 regions and to prepare accordingly for the General Elections.
For More News And Analysis About Tanzania Follow Africa-Press
