Curtain opens
DODOMA: THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday began issuing nomination forms for the presidential election, with three political parties collecting the documents.
The parties are Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), the National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA) and the Alliance for African Farmers Party (AAFP).
Speaking during the exercise in Dodoma, INEC Chairman Justice Jacobs Mwambegele outlined the documents provided to each party’s presidential and vicepresidential nominees.
These include 40 copies of nomination forms for the two positions, eight copies of the candidates’ declaration to respect and implement the 2025 electoral code of conduct, two copies of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977, two copies of the 2024 Presidential, Parliamentary and Councillor Election Laws and two copies of the 2024 Independent National Electoral Commission Act.
“We urge you to read all the documents you will be given today so that they can assist you in filling out the application forms to be nominated as candidates for the positions of President and Vice-President,” said Justice Mwambegele.
After receiving nomination forms, CCM’s presidential candidate, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, said the official journey towards the October General Election had now begun.
“I thank our party for showing great faith in us and nominating us to contest these positions,” she said. Her running mate, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, expressed readiness to work alongside Dr Samia.
“I am ready to join you in seeking a landslide victory for our party across the country. Let me assure you that I am fully prepared to be your supporter, I will help you with all my strength and ability,” he said.
Dr Samia, in her remarks, called on CCM members to sponsor their party’s candidate, as required by the Commission’s procedures, urging unity after intra-party competitions end.
“Let us maintain unity and also come out in large numbers to support our candidates when they go to collect forms at the commission offices,” she said.
The National Reconstruction Alliance (NRA) presidential aspirant, Hassan Almas and his running mate, Hamis Ali Hassan also collected the forms.
After receiving them, Mr Almas said they plan to travel through about 10 regions to seek endorsements from party members before the official campaign period begins.
“Our hope depends on three main areas: God, who has all the authority, the citizens and the Commission entrusted to announce the election results,” he said.
He added that NRA is guided by the ‘Nation First’ philosophy, and its leadership will not tolerate any move that could jeopardise the country’s peace in the name of election.
The last to collect the forms yesterday were Alliance for African Farmers Party (AAFP) flag bearers, Kunje Ngombale-Mwiru and his running mate, Chumu Abdallah.
Speaking to journalists, Mr Kunje said his party’s top three priorities revolve around patriotism, stressing that the country’s three pillars of state the Executive, Parliament and Judiciary must all be guided by patriotism.
He said that after collecting the forms, the next step was to tour 10 regions on the mainland and Zanzibar to collect signatures from no fewer than 200 supporters in each region before returning the forms to the Commission, paving the way for the next stage.
According to INEC, official campaigns will commence on 28 August in line with the election timetable.
The exercise continues today with three parties expected to collect the forms. They include Chama cha MAKINI, the National League for Democracy (NLD) and United Peoples’ Democratic Party (UPDP).
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As per INEC schedule issued on Friday, 14 political parties submitted the letters indicating date and time when their nominated members for Presidential seat will collect the forms.
