CCM members urged to maintain unity after internal elections

Handeni/Mbeya. Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) members have been asked to dispand their factions after the ongoing intra elections.

This is paramount so as to ensure that the party continues to effectively roll out its manifesto and enters with a common front in the 2020 General Election.

The call has been made separately in Mbeya Region and Handeni district in Tanga region by CCM leaders who were supervising internal elections.

In election of CCM parent’s wing in Mbeya, Special Seats MP, Dr Marry Mwanjelwa, expressed her disappointment over divisions which have emerged within the party due to the election.

She urged members to maintain tgheir royalty to the party and not individuals.

“Some of us are not loyal to the party that is why we have lost the constituency (Mbeya Urban), wards and the council,” said Ms Mwanjelwa.

“They might promise to be with you during the campaign but when it comes to voting they do the opposite. Politics in Mbeya is too confusing,” she added.

Speaking at the event, the CCM Youth Wing (UVCCM) regional secretary in Mbeya, Gerald Kinawiro, said they were strict in scrutinising candidates in a bid to come up with people who will truly serve the party.

“The 2017 election was free, fair and open to all members, we didn’t consider friendship, financial status but qualities of the candidate as outlined in the party’s constitution,” he said.

Mbeya region party chairman, Mr Ephurahim Mwaitenda, urged the candidates who will be elected to ensure that they work for the benefit of the party.

“You have to ensure unity and solidarity in the party,” he urged.

In Handeni, UVCCM and parents wing members had to wait for the re-election of their chairman post after none of the candidates failed to collect at least 50 per cent of the votes.

It started with the UVCCM election on Friday September 22 which saw none of the four candidates received the required votes.

According to the returning officer, Mr Salehe Kikweo, there were 406 valid votes but six of them were spoilt.

“From the 400 votes, Mr Ahmad Chihumpu got 156 followed by Ms Tabia Zuberi (91), Ms Rahma kangongo (77) and Mr Mohamed Jeku who pocketed 76 votes,” said Mr Kikweo who is CCM secretary for Handeni District.

The second round involved Mr Chihumpu and Ms Zuber, were Chihumpu emerged a winner after collected a total of 211 compared against 163 which went to Ms Zuber.

Similar situation happened in the election in parents Wind where none of the candidates managed 50 percent of the cast votes.

The candidates are Hamidu Manyuti who is defending the seat, Ridhia Mwenjuma and Hussen Mdingo.

Earlier, there was an election for women wing (UWT) which saw Ms Amina Kigoda emerge victorious.

She collected 259 votes while the first runner-up, Asia Dhahabu got 135 while Farida Mashaka emerged a second runner-up with 63 votes.

However, the first runner-up Ms Dhahabu refused to accept the results, claiming that her votes were stolen.