Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), affirmed on Saturday, August 9, 2025, that the nomination process for its candidates in the upcoming general election adhered to all required rules and regulations in line with party procedures. This was revealed during a special function outside the party’s headquarters after its presidential candidate, Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is also the current president, and her running mate, Emmanuel Nchimbi, collected nomination forms from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Speaking during the event, the party’s Deputy Secretary, John Mongella, said the January congress met all required standards.
“Through the national congress held from January 18 to 19 of this year, the meeting accomplished three main tasks: first, it elected you, our CCM chairperson and President of the United Republic of Tanzania, as the candidate for the presidential seat…” explained Mongella.
He added: “Second, it received and confirmed the name of Ambassador Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi as the running mate in the 2025 general election. Third, it confirmed Dr. Hussein Ally Mwinyi as the Chama Cha Mapinduzi candidate for the President of Zanzibar and Chairperson of the Revolutionary Council. Essentially, these three tasks were carried out in accordance with our party’s constitution without violating any article or regulation of CCM.”
There is an ongoing debate within the ruling party, led by former Ambassador to Cuba and ex-party insider Humphrey Polepole. He argues that the January congress violated the party’s constitution, regulations, and customs. Polepole, who resigned from his ambassadorial post in protest, citing dissatisfaction with the direction of the party and government, has continued to criticize the process and the candidate from an undisclosed location.
Meanwhile, another party member, Godfrey Malisa, who was dismissed from the party earlier this year, has taken CCM to court over the January 2025 congress.
