Dodoma. Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has continued its internal nomination process for special parliamentary and representative seats ahead of the October 2025 General Election. Between August 1st and 3rd, the party’s affiliated wings held national meetings in Dodoma to conduct primaries and select candidates for special seats in the National Assembly and the Zanzibar House of Representatives.
The internal elections were conducted by the CCM Youth Wing (UVCCM), the Parents’ Wing, and the Women’s Wing (UWT), producing 21 preliminary nominees for parliamentary seats and 8 for the Zanzibar House of Representatives. However, party leaders have emphasized that these outcomes are subject to confirmation by CCM’s higher organs.
The primaries brought surprises, with two sitting MPs failing to retain their nominations. Neema Lugangira, who represented the civil society (NGO) group, and Khadija Taya, popularly known as Keisha, representing people with disabilities, were both defeated.
On the other hand, some incumbents successfully defended their positions, including Ummy Hamisi Nderiananga the currently Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office—who represents people with disabilities, and Najma Murtaza Giga, who serves in the special seats through the Parents’ Wing and is also the Chairperson of the National Assembly.
In the UVCCM meeting held on August 1 and 2, six candidates were selected to represent Mainland Tanzania in the special seats. Ng’wasi Damas Kamani, the current youth special seat MP, secured the highest votes, followed by Jessica John Magufuli, Halima Abdalah Bulembo, Lulu Guyo Macha, Juliana Didasi Masaburi, and Timida Mpoki Fyamdomo.
In Zanzibar, four candidates emerged victorious from a pool of 17: Mwanaenzi Hassan Suluhu, Latifa Khamis Juakali, Zainab Abdallah Issa, and Amina Ali Mzee. For the two available special seats in the Zanzibar House of Representatives under the Youth Wing, Salha Muhammed Mwinjuma and Hudhima Mbarak Tahir were selected.
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The Parents’ Wing held its general meeting on August 1. On the Zanzibar side, Najma Murtaza Giga retained her nomination, while in Mainland Tanzania, Dr. Catherine Joackim emerged as the nominee out of 18 contestants. For the Zanzibar House of Representatives, Aza January Joseph and Salama Abbas Juma were chosen from among eight hopefuls.
The Women’s Wing (UWT) conducted its national meeting from August 2 to 3. In the category of women with disabilities, Ummy Hamisi Nderiananga retained her spot on the Mainland, joined by Stela Ikupa Alex and Aisha Asantu Mduya. In Zanzibar, Nassriya Nassir Ali secured the nomination. In the workers’ union group category, Halima Iddi Nassor and Mariam Anzurungi Mangula were nominated on the Mainland, while Tunu Juma Kondo won in Zanzibar.
In the university women’s category, the Mainland nominees are Selina Henry Kingalame, Asha Juma Ferooz, and Dr. Regina Christopher Malina, while in Zanzibar, Zeyana Abdallah Hamid won the nomination. For the civil society (NGO) category, Mainland candidates Magreth Baraka Ezekiel and Rahma Riadh Kisuo were nominated, while Mgeni Hassan Juma secured the nomination for Zanzibar.
For the Zanzibar House of Representatives, Zainab Abdallah Salum and Anna Athanas Paul were chosen in the disability group, while in the university category, Lela Muhamed Mussa and Khadija Salum Ali emerged victorious.
These national-level meetings followed earlier regional-level primaries conducted by the UWT, where winners were announced across all regions.
Despite the excitement and anticipation, CCM Deputy Secretary General (Mainland) John Mongella reminded members during the Parents’ Wing meeting that primary victories do not guarantee final selection. The ultimate decision lies with the party’s top decision-making bodies, including the Central Committee and the National Executive Council (NEC).
Meanwhile, attention now shifts to constituency-level primaries, scheduled for today, August 4, where CCM will conduct internal nomination elections nationwide to select its 272 candidates for parliamentary seats across the country.
