Jesca Magufuli, Halima Bulembo among front-runners in UVCCM special seats race
What you need to know:
- In Zanzibar, Mwanaenzi Hassan Suluhu led the race with 399 votes, ahead of Latifah Juakali (357), former Pangani District Commissioner Zainab Abdallah Issa (354), and Amina Mzee (151).
Dodoma. Jesca Magufuli, Halima Bulembo, and outgoing legislator Ng’wasi Kamani have emerged among the leading candidates in the CCM Youth Wing (UVCCM) contest for special parliamentary seats, in results that mark a key step toward nomination.
The internal elections, held on August 1 under the supervision of CCM Deputy Secretary General John Mongella, saw Kamani top the Mainland list with 409 votes as she seeks to renew her mandate as a special seats Member of Parliament.
She was closely followed by Jesca Magufuli, daughter of the late President John Magufuli, who secured 391 votes. Former Kigamboni District Commissioner Halima Bulembo came third with 320 votes, trailed by Lulu Mwacha (316), Juliana Masaburi (282), and Timida Fyandomo (280).
In Zanzibar, Mwanaenzi Hassan Suluhu led the race with 399 votes, ahead of Latifah Juakali (357), former Pangani District Commissioner Zainab Abdallah Issa (354), and Amina Mzee (151).
The results now await ratification by the party’s higher decision-making organs, which will make final selections for submission to the National Electoral Commission ahead of the 2025 general elections.
In the CCM Parents’ Wing category, Catherine Joachim dominated the Mainland race with 597 votes, far outpacing her closest rival Khadija Taya—popularly known as Keysha—who garnered just 94 votes. Taya is the outgoing MP representing persons with disabilities and is also a well-known artist.
On the Isles, Najma Murtaza Giga secured a decisive victory, collecting 591 votes out of 710 cast, comfortably defeating six other candidates.
For regional representative positions, Salha Mwinjuna led the Mainland side with 255 votes, followed by Huzaina Mubarak with 233.
In Zanzibar, Aza January Joseph emerged top with 350 votes, closely followed by Salama Abbas Juma who received 330. Both candidates beat out six others in a tightly contested race.
The race on the Mainland saw one candidate, Dr Onael Chamshana, withdraw from the competition, bringing the number of contestants for the youth special seats from 19 to 18.
Although preliminary, the results reflect growing political interest from both new and returning CCM members ahead of the party's official nomination process.
