CCM picks EALA nominees, Isimani candidate

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has unveiled nine contenders for three East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) seats and picked its flag bearer for the Isimani by-election after a Central Committee meeting.

The meeting chaired by party Chairperson, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, was held in Dar es Salaam yesterday, where the organ endorsed nominees to represent the Mainland in the East African Legislative Assembly.

A total of six candidates were shortlisted to compete for two slots reserved for men from Mainland Tanzania.

These are Stephen Byabato, Cosato Chumi, Jabir Bwanika, Paschal Masalu, Dr Suleiman Serera and Kambarage Wasira. For the single slot reserved for women from the Mainland, three candidates were endorsed, Chikulupi Kasaka, Fatuma Kange and Jesca Mshama.

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The final three representatives will be determined through an internal vote by all CCM Members of Parliament during a meeting scheduled for today at 1:00 pm in Dodoma.

In a separate decision, the Central Committee also endorsed Emmanuela Kaganda as CCM’s candidate for the forthcoming parliamentary by-election in the Isimani Constituency.

The nomination was made in accordance with Article 105 (7)(f) of the CCM Constitution of 1977 (July 2025 edition), which grants the Central Committee powers to approve candidates for by-elections.

The Isimani seat, located in Iringa Rural District, feel vacant after the death of its long serving MP, the late William Lukuvi, prompting the upcoming by-election as the party moves to retain its representation in the National Assembly.