AfricaPress-Tanzania: ZANZIBAR’S presidential race within CCM intensified here on Thursday, with the entry of the ruling party’s Secretary for Organisation, Mr Pereira Ame Silima.
Mr Silima and three other party members who collected the nomination forms at Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Kisiwandui main offices brought to 29 the total number of contestants for the top seat so far.
The former Chumbuni Member of Parliament and Home Affairs Deputy Minister pledged to focus on blue, tourism and gas economy if elected to lead the over 1.5 million people in the Isles.
Other contestants who picked the forms yesterday include retired teacher Iddi Hamad Iddi and Shaame Simai Mcha.
The retired teacher, who worked in various schools in Unguja and Pemba, promised to work hard towards social and economic development, to meet the expectations of majority Zanzibaris.
The 57-year Simai and professional journalist promised to boost the Zanzibar economy if voters thrust him onto the presidency.
“Should my party and consequently my fellow Zanzibaris trust me with the eighth phase presidency, my major job will be to bring about economic development for all residents in Unguja and Pemba Islands,” said the presidential hopeful.
Already, some aspirants have started returning nomination forms after collecting at least 250 sponsors from at least three regions of both Unguja and Pemba.
The ruling party has opened doors for aspiring presidential candidates to pick the nomination forms for Zanzibar and Union presidencies.
Speaking to reporters here on June 13, 2020, CCM Deputy Secretary General (Zanzibar) Dr Abdallah Juma Abdallah, invited all “courageous” party members to collect the nomination forms but warned corruption tainted individuals not to shelve the idea.
He said the party’s offices will remain open for 16 days to allow aspirants to collect the forms and seek 250 sponsors from at least three regions, with at least one region in Unguja and Pemba, saying the party has set 4pm on June 30th, 2020 as the deadline to return the forms.
