Tanzania’s presidential race kicks off as 17 candidates cleared for October polls

INEC Communication and Civic Education head Abuu Kimario said Mpina’s selection breached Sections 4(5)(a) and (b) of the Political Parties Act. Unlike the lively form collection period, nomination day passed off quietly on Wednesday, although ADC candidate Doyo Hassan Doyo refused to use the official vehicle provided, sparking speculation given his pledge to ban luxury SUVs if elected.

As with the earlier process, CCM’s candidate, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, opened the nominations, while TLP’s Yustas Rwamugira closed them.

The full list of candidates cleared includes David Mwaijojele (CCK), Salim Mwalimu (Chaumma), Kunje Ngombale (AAFP), Doyo Hassan Doyo (NLD), Majalio Kyara (SAU), Ambali Hamis (NCCR-Mageuzi), Georges Busungu (TADEA), Wilson Mulumbe (ADC), Hassan Almas (NRA), Samandito Gombo (CUF), Mwajuma Mirambo (UMD), Twalib Kadege (UPDP), Abdul Mluya (DP) and Coaster Kibonde (Chama Cha Makini).

Each nominee received a government vehicle with fuel, a driver and security detail for the campaign. INEC Elections director Ramadhan Kailima clarified that candidates may place campaign stickers at their cost. He did not specify on who covers fuel and maintenance costs.

Later in the day, the official list of cleared candidates was posted outside INEC’s offices for public scrutiny and possible appeals.

President Hassan, seeking a second term with running mate Emmanuel Nchimbi, has centred her campaign on continuity, highlighting industrialisation, universal health insurance and youth employment. “This is a journey of every Tanzanian,” she told supporters.

From the opposition, Salum Mwalimu of Chaumma, with Devotha Minja as his running mate, has pledged a new constitution and zero tolerance for corruption. “I’m not indebted to anyone; I will serve with clean hands,” he said.

NCCR-Mageuzi’s Haji Ambar Khamis, along with Dr Evaline Munisi, has put morality and constitutional reform at the core of his campaign. “Morality has collapsed and we must restore it,” he declared.

UDP candidate Saum Rashid revived John Cheyo’s populist “filling pockets” slogan, promising economic uplift through agriculture and trade. “Give us the country and we will fill your pockets,” he pledged.

Kunje Ngombale of AAFP, running with Chumu Abdallah Juma, said agriculture would be prioritised as Tanzania’s development backbone.

ADC’s Wilson Mulumbe, with Shoka Khamis Juma, has pledged free water and electricity connections within 90 days, free education through university and healthcare for all. “We are lighting a fire that no one can extinguish,” he said.

David Mwaijojele of CCK has promised to ease retirement anxieties for civil servants through housing schemes and better social security. “We must prepare our people for life after work,” he noted.

TLP’s Rwamugira has pledged free healthcare for the poor, education from nursery to university and stronger security. “It is shameful for corpses to remain in hospitals because families cannot pay,” he said.

NLD’s Doyo Hassan Doyo, with Chausiku Khatibu Mohamed, vowed to sell luxury government cars, create mass youth jobs and expand infrastructure. “The waste of public resources must end,” he argued.

Chama Cha Makini’s Coaster Kibonde, with Azza Haji Suleiman, emphasised education, agriculture and healthcare. “To deny a child education is to sentence them to life imprisonment,” he said.

NRA’s Hassan Almas, with Hamis Hassan Majukumu, prioritised peace and unity above all else. “If we are not chosen, let the country at least remain safe,” he urged.

DP’s Abdul Mluya invoked the Rev Christopher Mtikila’s legacy, promising justice for the marginalised and scrapping exploitative pensions. “We are the only party that will wipe the tears of the downtrodden,” he claimed.

TADEA’s Georges Bussungu, with Ali Makame Issa, promoted a “yellow revolution” rooted in technology and fair resource distribution. “We will not lead a poor nation,” he pledged.

UMD’s Mwajuma Mirambo, with Mashabi Alawi Haji, made healthcare, education and federalism her priorities. “Without taxes, no one can benefit from this nation’s resources,” she said.

UPDP’s Twalibu Kadege, with Abdallah Mohamed Hassan, focused on land reform, health and rural media freedom. “Everything depends on land and we will return it to the people,” he declared.

According to INEC, 37.6 million voters are registered, up 26 percent from 2020, with 18.9 million women and 18.7 million men. Campaigns will run until October 28, with polling taking place the following day.

With promises spanning free water and electricity, filling pockets, restoring morality and delivering a new constitution, the coming two months will test each candidate’s credibility. For millions of Tanzanians, the real question is whose pledges resonate with their daily struggles for jobs, dignity and prosperity.