CCM heads to unveil special seat candidates soon

DODOMA: THE Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Parents’ Wing will tomorrow hold a Special General Meeting in Dodoma to elect special seat Members of Parliament from the Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar chapters, as well as members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives.

The highly anticipated meeting is scheduled to take place at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre, drawing participation from 756 members representing all districts across Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

The gathering aims to elect leaders through the delegates’ free will, while also offering an opportunity for both nominated and non-nominated candidates to witness the practical exercise of internal democracy within the party.

Speaking to journalists in Dodoma on Thursday, CCM Parents’ Wing Secretary General, Mr Ally Hapi, said the elections will, for the first time in the party’s history, allow only female members to vote for the special seat parliamentary candidates.

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“In previous special general meetings like this, both male and female delegates voted. However, the party found it essential that, since these are special seats designated for women, they should be elected by fellow women to expand the scope of internal democracy—thanks to constitutional reforms within the party,” he said.

Mr Hapi commended the reforms, describing them as a positive step in empowering women and girls to choose their leaders.

He disclosed that 33 aspirants initially collected nomination forms to vie for special seats in the Tanzania Mainland. Following a vetting process by the Central Committee, 19 candidates were approved, with eight contesting in tomorrow’s election for the Mainland seats.

In Zanzibar, six candidates are contesting for special parliamentary seats, while eight others are vying for positions in the Zanzibar House of Representatives.

“In total, approximately 60 candidates took part in the initial stages for the two MP seats and two representation seats. Across the country, 245 members from the Parents’ Wing collected nomination forms to contest various positions in both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar,” Mr Hapi noted.