Carnival-like atmosphere at INEC as Chaumma, CCK flagbearers collect nomination forms
LEFT PHOTO. Presidential candidate for the CCK ticket, David Mwaijolele (right), and his running mate, Masoud Ali Abdala, show off a bag containing nomination forms at INEC offices in Dodoma yesterday. RIGHT PHOTO. Chaumma presidential hopeful, Salum Mwalimu (left), receives a bag containing nomination forms from the National Electoral Commission (INEC), Judge Jacobs Mwambegele.
What you need to know:
- On Tuesday, August 12, motorbike engines roared alongside traditional drums, brass music and chanting crowds as two parties, Chaumma and the Social Party (CCK), collected their forms
Dodoma. The collection of presidential nomination forms has taken on a carnival-like atmosphere, with convoys, brass bands and cheering supporters flooding the streets to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices at Njedengwa.
On Tuesday, August 12, motorbike engines roared alongside traditional drums, brass music and chanting crowds as two parties, Chaumma and the Social Party (CCK), collected their forms.
With their appearance, 11 of the 18 political parties confirmed for this year’s General Election have now completed the process.
The Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC), which had been scheduled for the same day, requested a new date.
Chaumma draws biggest crowd
Chaumma presidential candidate Salum Mwalimu arrived at 12:13pm, accompanied by running mate Devotha Minja, senior party leaders and former special-seats MPs.
Supporters dressed in the party’s white-and-red colours lined the route, waving flags and singing.
Security was tight, with police stationed along the route to the hilltop government building.
By midday, a police vehicle led a motorcade of about 150 motorcycles flying party flags.
Mwalimu stood in an open-roof white vehicle, waving to crowds, followed by his running mate and party chairman Hashim Rungwe.
For over 15 minutes, the convoy played music and beat drums outside INEC’s gates before entering.
Only 20 people were allowed inside in line with capacity limits, but celebrations continued outside.
After receiving his forms, Mwalimu said: “I owe no one, I am clean. My running mate is equally clean and her record speaks for itself.”
He pledged constitutional reforms, scrapping outdated laws and prioritising the national interest.
On Wednesday, August 13, the duo is scheduled to travel to Unguja to begin seeking the required endorsements from supporters.
CCK takes low-key approach
Earlier at 9:22am, CCK candidate David Mwaijojele became the first to collect forms. He was accompanied by a small but spirited group waving party flags and singing, though without instruments.
After completing the process by 9:51am, Mwaijojele told journalists his campaign would focus on improving the welfare of public servants, many of whom fear retirement because they lack housing or security for their families.
“People want to keep working even past retirement age because they are unprepared, they don’t even have a house to move into,” he said.
He proposed a special tax scheme to fund the construction of homes for civil servants before retirement, with similar support for miners and journalists.
His other priorities include health, education, the environment and the economy.
