Ndugai, Tulia pick forms to vie for top Bunge positions

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The two picked the forms at the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) headquarters in Dodoma.
Speaking shortly after picking his form, Mr Ndugai urged CCM’s members to continue supporting him as he looks forward to serving the House for the second term in a row.

Dodoma. The outgoing Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Job Ndugai and his former deputy, Dr Tulia Ackson, yesterday, at different occasions, picked nomination forms as they seek to retain their positions in the upcoming Assembly.
The two picked the forms at the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) headquarters in Dodoma.
Speaking shortly after picking his form, Mr Ndugai urged CCM’s members to continue supporting him as he looks forward to serving the House for the second term in a row.
According to CCM’s principal administrative secretary, Solomon Itunds, the incumbent Speaker Ndugai is the only candidate who has picked the Speaker position forms so far.
“We opened the window yesterday (Monday) , and today is the last day. We are therefore encouraging those who are willing to come and pick the forms to do so,” said Mr Itunds.
According to him, the applicants (vying for either speaker or deputy speaker positions) are required to pay Sh500, 000 as an application fee. Explaining why she opted to vie for deputy speaker position instead of the Speaker position, Dr Ackson said yesterday that she made a decision so that she would serve well her new role as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Mbeya Urban.
If elected, Mr Ndugai will serve as the fifth speaker of the National Assembly.
Dr Ackson seeks to retain the position which she also served during the 11th Parliament, under the leadership of Speaker Ndugai.
Speaking to journalists shortly after picking the nomination forms, Dr Ackson said: “My decision not to vie for the Speaker position doesn’t mean that I am scared to compete for the top position. Let’s all remember that I have managed to defeat a former Mbeya Urban MP, Mr Joseph Mbilinyi.” .
She added: “These are public service jobs and when you are planning to pick the forms, you have to weigh the task ahead which you intend to vie for. So, after considering this, I decided to vie for the deputy position so that I can have enough time to serve Mbeya residents whom I represent in the House.”
Meanwhile, Dr Ackson urged the MPs-elect to represent well their people by working on challenges highlighted by the people during the election campaigns.
She added that this would be achieved if the MPs would deliver in accordance with the parties’ election manifestos and policies.