CCM picks minister Kombani’s son for Ulanga East Bunge race

Morogoro. The ruling CCM has endorsed the son of former cabinet minister the late Celina Kombani to vie for Ulanga East parliamentary seat following the death of his mother two weeks ago.

The party in Ulanga sanctioned Godluck Mtinga, 33, Kombani’s first son, to carry the party’s flag after he garnered 731 votes out of 1025 votes casted in the opinion poll. Five candidates contested to represent the party in the election.

The election was held Wednesday at Kasita Seminary in Ulanga district.

The election follows the death of the former minister of Stated in the President’s Office responsible for Public Service Management, Celina Kombani, in India two weeks ago.

Ms Kombani was endorsed by CCM to represent the party in Ulanga East constituency in July before he fell sick while campaigning and admitted to Mikocheni hospital in Dar es Salaam before she was taken to Apollo Hospital in India for treatment.

She died of pancreatic cancer while undergoing treatment at Apollo hospital

CCM secretary general for Ulanga district Mathias Mbogo told The Citizen on telephone that the election was held in a free and transparent manner, adding that Mr Mtinga was elected on merit.

He named other members who contested in the election including Aziz Jawadi Aziz (134), Omari Dogodogo (52) and Augustion who garnered 41 votes.

Others are Wenceslaus Mkula (39), Faustine Kipau (11), Herieth Mwakifulefuke (9) and Daudi Kitolelo (4).

Mr Mbogo said already they have received a timetable for election campaign from the Natioal Electroral Commission (NEC) and that the party will hold its first campaign rally next Tuesday.