Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has officially concluded the process of issuing and collecting nomination forms from aspiring candidates who seek to be endorsed by the party in the upcoming general election, scheduled for October this year.
The exercise, which began on June 28, 2025, and ended on July 2, 2025, covered various positions including parliamentary constituencies, Zanzibar House of Representatives, Special Seats for Parliament and the House of Representatives, ward councillors, as well as Special Seats for local government councils.
Among these, the most attention was drawn to the parliamentary and special parliamentary seats. While some Members of Parliament from the 12th Parliament chose not to seek re-election, several veteran politicians who had served in the third and fourth governments have made a comeback.
At the same time, a significant number of young people and women within the party were seen taking nomination forms, marking a generational shift in political engagement within CCM.
Prominent among those not seeking re-election are Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, who also serves as MP for Ruangwa; retired politician George Mkuchika, MP for Newala, who announced his retirement; Emmanuel Mageni Kasalali, MP for Sumve; and Bishop Josephat Gwajima, MP for Kawe.
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Meanwhile, a number of former MPs who held ministerial roles during the fourth and fifth government administrations have returned to the political stage, collecting nomination forms for parliamentary constituency seats. These include Agrrey Mwanri, Charles Tizeba, William Ngeleja, Lazaro Nyalandu, Stephen Masele, Charles Kitwanga and Lawrence Masha.
Aside from these established politicians and current MPs seeking re-election, many new candidates have emerged in the nomination process, with a notable increase in participation from youth and women. Among the new contenders are Dr. Elisha Osati, former president of the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT), who is contesting in Mbagala; sports analyst and former athlete Jemedari Said in Mtama; social welfare expert Haji Mustafa Ngwila in Bagamoyo; Zuhura Mkumba in Newala Urban; and Patrick Mwalunenge in Mbeya Urban.
For the Special Seats category, notable figures include Rehema Sombi Omary, Deputy Chairperson of CCM’s Youth Wing (UVCCM), who has expressed interest in becoming a Special Seats MP. Others include women’s football advocate Irene Ishengoma, contesting for a seat representing NGOs; Shamira Mshangama, seeking a seat representing Tanga Region; and Dr. Catherine Joachim, a member of the Health and Environment Committee, aiming for a seat through the CCM Parents’ Wing.
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In a related development, some of the 19 Special Seats MPs who were expelled from opposition party CHADEMA have now defected to CCM and picked up nomination forms to contest for constituency seats. Among them are Esther Matiko, contesting in Tarime Urban; Esther Bulaya in Bunda; Salome Makamba in Shinyanga Urban; Cecilia Pereso in Karatu; Sophia Mwakagenda in Rungwe; and Hawa Mwaifunga in Tabora Urban.
Although CCM has not yet released a comprehensive national report on the entire nomination process, preliminary information from the party indicates that the next phase will involve vetting meetings at various levels. In this stage, no more than three candidates per position will be shortlisted and their names forwarded to the relevant party bodies for internal opinion polling.
