Dar es Salaam. Some citizens in the city have described the qualities they seek in candidates for the upcoming General Election on October 29, 2025, with many stating they want candidates who prioritise the interests of those they represent and genuinely care about them.
According to the schedule released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on July 26, 2025, the exercise of collecting and submitting nomination forms for presidential and vice-presidential candidates will take place from August 9 to August 27, 2025. A total of 14 political parties are expected to participate in this exercise.
INEC further stated that from August 14 to 27, 2025, nomination forms for parliamentary and councillor candidates will be submitted, while August 27, 2025, will be the deadline for the nomination of presidential, vice-presidential, parliamentary, and councillor candidates.
Campaigns will run from August 28 to October 28 for Tanzania Mainland, while campaigns for the Zanzibar election will take place from August 28 to October 27 to facilitate early voting on the islands. Voting will occur on October 29, 2025.
Citizens from various parts of Dar es Salaam expressed to The Chanzo their eagerness to see the candidates nominated by INEC for these positions, while also demonstrating a high level of awareness about the type of candidates they want as voters.
READ MORE: CHADEMA Youths Mark International Youth Day Online Amid Suspended Party Activities: ‘No Retreat’
Abdurahman Hamdi Hakiamriyangu, a resident of Tabata in the city, says that a good leader is one who performs well, regardless of their level of education or where they studied.
“Leadership is about you, your actions,” says Hakiamriyangu. “The quality of a good leader is doing what the people need. A leader should be present when the people need them.”
Listening
Fadhili Dadi Athumani, a native of Mtwara currently living in Dar es Salaam, believes that a good leader is one who listens to the opinions of the citizens after being elected as their representative.
“During campaigns, many come with numerous promises, but implementation is another matter,” the citizen pointed out. “So, getting a leader who can fulfil their promises and the needs of the people, even if not fully, but who understands their duty to the people, is the best thing.”
Adeya Isaya, a resident of Kinondoni in the city, says one of the most important qualities of a good representative is someone who cares about the citizens and prioritises the interests of those they represent.
READ MORE: Tanzania Cautions NGOs: Don’t Be Used for Money Laundering in 2025 Polls
Adeya noted that while it is difficult to find representatives with such qualities, they can still be found if every citizen exercises their voting rights wisely, warning against electing representatives based on financial incentives or gifts.
“Do not choose a leader based on deception,” advised the citizen. “Your single vote is very valuable. You might choose someone today for Sh10,000 or Sh15,000 given to you, but it will cost you for the next five years and beyond.”
Gisendi Monday, a resident of Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, wishes to see candidates who are accountable, adding, “A candidate who stands by their word, whose actions match their promises, not just empty talk.”
Self-awareness
Said Haasan, a resident of Kimara in Dar es Salaam, says the representative he needs is one who is self-aware, understands their responsibilities, and knows they are there for the people, not for personal gain.
“[They should know] they represent many people, that there are people behind them,” says Said. “Recognising that I am here for the people, that I am their representative, shows that this is a good representative.”
Said also adds that a good representative is one who understands the challenges of their constituents, the issues in their area, or the places they lead.
Rashid Muhsin Makumuli, a resident of Kinondoni, says the representative he wants is one with a track record of performance, who will help citizens solve their problems and bring development.
“They should improve our neighbourhoods, which are in poor condition, like parts of Kinondoni in the city, where even the market areas and community spaces are in bad shape,” the citizen explained.
Beatrice Ndambo, a resident of Mabibo in Dar es Salaam, says a candidate must be patriotic, something she claims is rare to find in candidates these days.
“They should be patriotic, hardworking, and diligent,” says Beatrice. “But they should also have a calling to serve the people because, apart from money and extravagance, if they have a genuine desire to serve, then we believe they will do good work.”
Compassionate
Deogratias Agustino Mogela, a resident of Kinondoni, wants a representative who is compassionate, hardworking, and cares about the problems of the citizens.
READ MORE: Tanzania Directs Police to Patrol Internet As the General Election Nears
“Before going to parliament, they should return to the people, hold meetings with them, and see what challenges the people face, so that when they go to parliament, they can speak for the people,” says the citizen.
“We don’t want an MP who, once elected, never comes back to us, never asks us what challenges we face, who just goes to parliament to speak for themselves,” he added.
This point was also emphasised by Mohammed Fabian Chilemba, a resident of Kinondoni, who noted that being close to the people is a major criterion he uses to judge whether a candidate is good or not.
“When a citizen approaches them with a problem, they should listen, love the people, and listen to those with issues, you see?” says Chilemba. “That’s the kind of thing I look for in councillors and MPs.”
Corruption
Citizens acknowledge that, to a large extent, their representatives lack these qualities they describe. However, they stressed that this should not be a reason for them to abstain from voting, but rather to be vigilant during the voting process, including avoiding the issue of corruption altogether.
READ MORE: INEC Tanzania Responds to Concerns Over Voter Register Numbers
Letisia Kitalima, a resident of Tabata, for example, warns against electing a representative who bribes voters, saying that if such a person wins, they will not work for the people because they will feel they paid for the leadership position.
“If a citizen chooses [based on bribes], it means that when problems arise, the person they elected through corruption will not bother to solve them, and that will mean endless problems,” said Letisia.
Haji Selemani is a reporter for The Chanzo based in Dar es Salaam. He’s available at hijaselemani9@gmail.com.
