Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday cleared candidates from 17 political parties to contest for the presidential seat, paving the way for official nationwide campaigns to kick off today.
Out of the 18 political parties, whose aspi- rants collected nomination forms from the INEC offices in Njedengwa on the outskirts of Dodoma City, the Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT- Wazalendo) presidential aspirant Luhaga Mpina and his running mate, Fatma Fereji, were notably absent from the list of those who returned the forms.
When Mpina and his convoy arrived at the INEC entrance gate at approximately 12:40 pm to submit their forms, they were informed by a security of- ficer that their names were not on the official list.
Following the encounter, the delegation decided to leave the venue.
In contrast to the lively scenes that accompanied the collection of nomination forms, yesterday’s atmosphere was subdued, with no celebrations as candidates submitted their dossiers.
After the submission and review of forms by INEC officials, the Commission’s Chairman, High Court Justice (rtd) Jacobs Mwambegele approved the nominations.
Candidates were then handed new Toyota Land Cruiser GX VXR vehicles, along with drivers and bodyguards, who will ac- company them throughout the campaign period.
Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) presidential flagbearer, Samia Suluhu Hassan, her running mate Ambassador Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi and other senior party officials arrived at the Commission’s premises at 8:50 am to submit their nomination forms.
After being cleared, President Samia, accompanied by CCM Secretary General Dr Asha Rose Migiro and Vice Chairman (Mainland) Mr Stephen Wassira held a brief chat outside the INEC offices before departing at around 9:40 am.
Other candidates who were cleared include Hassan Kisabya Almas (president) and Hamisi Ally Hassan (running mate) from the National Reconstruc- tion Alliance (NRA).
Additional presidential and running mate aspirants cleared yesterday included; Kunje Ngombale Mwiru and Shum Juma Abdalla (Alliance for African Farmers Party – AAFP), Doyo Hassan Doyo and Chausiku Khatib Mo- hamed (National League for Democracy – NLD), Coaster Kibonde and Aziza Haji Suleiman (Chama cha Makini – MAKINI).
The list also includes Twalib Kadege and Abdal- la Mohd Khamisi (United People’s Democratic Party – UPDP), Georges Gabriel Bussungu and Ali Makame Issa (Tanzania Democratic Alliance – TADEA), Mwajuma Mirambo and Mashavu Alawi Haji (Union for Multiparty Democracy – UMD) and David Daud Mwaijojele and Masoud Ali Abdala (Chama cha Kijamii – CCK).
The list also had Salum Mwalimu and De- votha Minja (Chama cha Ukombozi wa Umma – CHAUMMA), Abdul Juma Mluya and Sadoun Abrahman Khatib (Demo- cratic Party – DP), as well as Majalio Paul Kyara and Satia Mussa Bebwa (Sauti ya Umma – SAU), Gombo Samandito Gombo and Husna Mohamed Abdalla (Civic United Front – CUF).
Others were Wilson Elias Mulumbe and Shoka Khamis Juma (Alliance for Democratic Change – ADC), Saum Hussein Rashid and Juma Khamis Faki (United Democratic Party – UDP) and Haji Ambar Khamis and Dr Eveline Munisi (National Convention for Construction and Reform Mageuzi, NCCR-Mageuzi).
The Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) presidential candidate and running mate Yustas Mbatina Rwamugira and Amana Suleiman Mzee were the last to be approved by the Commission at around 3:00 pm.
Like their counterparts, they were handed official campaign packages.
The exercise officially ended at 4:00 pm, with INEC officers posting the names of all nominated candidates from the 17 political parties on the noticeboard near the entrance gate.
Justice Mwambegele, Director of Elections, Mr Ramadhan Kailima and other officials observed the process.
Mr Kailima informed journalists that the exercise had been officially completed at 4:00 pm.
As campaigns officially begin today, aspirants are expected to clearly outline their priorities and present their manifestos to the public ahead of the General Election scheduled for October 29, 2025.
Key issues raised by aspirants while collecting nomination forms at the INEC headquarters included healthcare, employment, youth and women empow- erment and retirees’ benefits.
Several candidates indicated they would unveil their full policy plans once approved by INEC.
For More News And Analysis About Tanzania Follow Africa-Press
