CCM organs meet to finalise vetting

Dar es Salaam. The ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), is expected to finalise the nomination of its parliamentary and Zanzibar House of Representatives candidates within 72 hours, following the commencement of vetting by the party’s Central Committee (CC) today, August 21.

The CC convened to scrutinise the names of parliamentary aspirants and nominees for Zanzibar’s House of Representatives will be followed by a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on August 23, which will confirm the final list of candidates, CCM Secretary for Ideology and Publicity Amoss Makalla said in a statement issued on August 17.

“The meetings will focus on the nomination of candidates for parliamentary seats in the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania, Members of Parliament through Special Seats, Members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives, and Special Seats representatives in the House of Representatives,” the statement read.

The CC and NEC meetings mark the final stage of a process that began with party primaries on August 4, when CCM members nationwide cast votes in their constituencies. By August 8, district political committees had reviewed the results and forwarded recommendations to regional committees. Applications for Special Seats were considered by the women’s wing regional executive committees on August 10.

Political analysts say the CC meeting extends beyond routine endorsements. University of Dodoma lecturer Dr Paul Loisulie noted that CCM’s decision-making balances individual popularity with the party’s strategic interests.

“Even if someone tops the primaries, if their character, record, or profile does not align with the party’s strategic interests, the leadership may choose otherwise. That is why higher organs retain the mandate to revisit names after internal elections,” he said.

From Zanzibar, Prof Makame Ali Ussi of the State University of Zanzibar added that deliberations would take into account not only vote tallies but also grievances raised during earlier stages.

“The committees will assess how candidates won, the nature of complaints submitted, and feedback from district and regional levels. These lower structures know the aspirants best and can attest to their suitability,” he explained.

Dr Onesmo Kyauke of the University of Dar es Salaam said the CC will synthesise grassroots input to ensure national leaders have a comprehensive picture before making final selections.

“The lower organs provide the most immediate and practical knowledge about aspirants. Today’s meeting will analyse that feedback so the national organs are fully briefed on the dynamics on the ground,” he noted.

Meanwhile, in Zanzibar, CCM is expected to outline political activities this week ahead of the October 29 general election, including the schedule for presidential candidate Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi to collect nomination forms from the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC). The timetable will also cover other endorsed flag bearers for parliament, the House of Representatives, and councillorships, leading up to the preliminary vote on October 28.

“Having secured the presidential flagbearer, the list of all candidates, including parliamentarians, is expected to be finalised after party meetings in Dodoma,” said CCM’s Secretary for Publicity, Ideology, and Training in Zanzibar, Khamis Mbeto Khamis.

The Central Committee is chaired by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and includes Vice Chairmen Dr Hussein Mwinyi (Zanzibar) and Stephen Wasira (Mainland), Secretary General Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, Deputy Secretary Generals Mohammed Mohammed (Zanzibar) and Anamringi Macha (Mainland), Secretary for Organisation Issa Ussi, and Secretary for Ideology and Publicity Amoss Makalla.

Also on the committee are the Secretaries for International Relations and for Economic Affairs and Finance, chairpersons of the party’s wings.