Chaumma’s Salum Mwalimu picks presidential nomination forms amid fanfare
What you need to know:
- After receiving the nomination forms, Mr Mwalimu told reporters his campaign would be anchored on integrity and change.
Dodoma. Chaumma presidential candidate Salum Mwalimu on Tuesday collected his nomination forms from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices in Njedengwa, arriving with a large, music-filled convoy that drew hundreds of supporters.
Mr Mwalimu was accompanied by his running mate, Devotha Minja, and party chairman Hashim Rungwe in a motorcade that featured trumpets, drums, motorcycles and dancing youth.
The show of force was apparent early in the day, with journalists issued with special accreditation similar to that provided during President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s (CCM) nomination event. Security was heightened around the INEC compound, which is surrounded by rocky hills.
At 11:57 a.m., the Chaumma convoy rolled in, led by an open police vehicle with uniformed officers, followed by between 120 and 150 motorcycles flying party flags.
Mr Mwalimu stood in a white open-top vehicle, waving to supporters, while Ms Minja and Mr Rungwe rode in separate black vehicles.
The candidates and their entourage remained outside for more than 15 minutes, dancing and waving before entering the premises. Nine minutes later, Chaumma Mainland deputy secretary general Benson Kigaila arrived with former Special Seats MPs Catherine Ruge and Susan Kiwanga to meet the candidates.
Officials allowed more supporters into the INEC grounds than for most other parties, except CCM.
After receiving the nomination forms, Mr Mwalimu told reporters his campaign would be anchored on integrity and change.
“I owe nothing to anyone. I am clean; I have not promoted anyone or favoured anyone. My running mate is also clean, and you know her record,” he said.
He pledged that, if elected, his first action at State House would be to deliver a new constitution to reform ineffective national laws.
“The time for change is now. We come from a clean party that is close to the people, and we will not fear making bold decisions,” he added.
The Chaumma convoy departed the INEC offices at 12:43 p.m., with many of the vehicles notably driven by women, maintaining the same energy and size as when it had arrived.
