Africa-Press – Tanzania. TODAY marks a pivotal stage in the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party’s electoral process, as members of ward and constituency meetings cast their votes to nominate councillor and parliamentary candidates for the upcoming General Election slated for October 29.
According to the party’s official timetable, following today’s primaries, the shortlisted candidates will be reviewed and approved by the party’s ward, constituency, district and regional political committees.
On August 19th this year, the Secretariat of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) will receive and evaluate the list of nominees.
The following day, the Central Committee of NEC will review the shortlisted names and recommend final candidates for parliamentary and House of Representatives seats.
The NEC’s meeting is expected to make the final appointments on August 22nd, this year, officially confirming CCM’s candidates for both parliamentary and special seats.
This high-stake internal election follows the announcement by the Central Committee, which shortlisted 1,726 aspirants to contest in today’s primaries across 272 constituencies nationwide.
The committee’s nominations were based on recommendations from District and Regional Political Committees, and vetted at the national level. This year’s primaries also mark the implementation of recent constitutional amendments made during an extraordinary virtual National Congress.
One of the key reforms was a change to Article 105(7)(F), granting the Central Committee the authority to nominate more than the traditional three candidates per constituency “unless the Central Committee of the CCM National Executive Council decides otherwise.”
As a result, the article now reads: “To consider and nominate the names of not more than three CCM members for each electoral constituency who applied for Parliamentary and House of Representatives seats so they can be voted on—unless the Central Committee of the CCM National Executive Council decides otherwise.” Speaking to ‘Daily News,’ a political science lecturer from the University of Dar es Salaam, Dr Richard Mbunda said the primaries reflect the party’s deep-rooted commitment to internal democracy and inclusivity.
“The CCM has consistently provided opportunities for members from all walks of life including youths, women, elders, academics and even standard seven leavers, to run for office. Democracy thrives through representation and such diversity in aspirants enriches parliamentary discourse,” Dr Mbunda said.
He noted that this year’s list of aspirants includes individuals with varied academic credentials, including professors, PhD holders, degree graduates, and others, creating room for balanced representation with different perspectives.
In line with the party’s efforts to promote gender equality and generational balance, the nominations include both men and women, youths and experienced politicians, ensuring that Parliament reflects Tanzania’s actual demographic structure.
Dr Mbunda also applauded recent reforms that expanded the voting rights to include members of ward, district and constituency central committees, saying it strengthens intra-party democracy.
He urged all political parties to focus on people centred campaign agendas with a long-term national vision, rather than divisive rhetoric and personal attacks.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently released the official timetable for the 2025 General Election. According to the schedule: August 9–27, 2025: Nomination forms for Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates will be issued.
On August 14–27, 2025 Parliamentary and Councillor nomination forms will be issued, while on August 28 to October 28, 2025 it will be campaign period for Tanzania mainland.
Campaign period for Zanzibar will run from August 28 to October 27, 2025, allowing time for early voting, while October 29, 2025 (Wednesday) it will be the General Election Day, when Tanzanians will elect their President, Members of Parliament and Councillors.
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