Tight races on the cards as CCM primaries enter crucial stage

Dar es Salaam. The race for parliamentary seats within the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) enters a crucial phase on Monday when thousands of party delegates will cast their votes to determine who will represent the party in the October 29 General Election.

With the nomination process now at the voting stage, tension is high in constituencies where strong political heavyweights, former MPs, incumbent legislators and high-profile civil servants are all seeking the party’s endorsement.

The votes follow the recent conclusion of vetting and internal processes, including preliminary polls for special seats. The results will inform the decisions of national party meetings beginning tomorrow and culminating in the National Executive Council (NEC) session on August 22, where the final endorsement of parliamentary candidates will be made.

Among the most closely watched races is Iringa Urban, where immediate former MP Jessica Msambatavangu faces stiff competition from the Reverend Peter Msigwa, who held the seat from 2010 to 2020 under Chadema before defecting to CCM. In Makambako, immediate former MP Deo Sanga, popularly known as “Jah People”, is up against former CCM secretary-general Daniel Chongolo.

In Kibamba Constituency, the contest features eight aspirants, but the spotlight is on Issa Mtemvu, who represented the area in the last parliament and former Cabinet minister Angellah Kairuki.

The Kinondoni seat is also tightly contested, with immediate former MP Abbas Tarimba being challenged by former legislator Iddi Azzan and Michael Wambura. In Siha, the race pits former deputy minister and regional commissioner Aggrey Mwanri against Dr Godwin Mollel, who in 2020 clinched the seat by a single vote.

In Nyamagana, former Home Affairs minister Lawrence Masha is looking to reclaim his political footing by challenging Stanslaus Mabula, who held the seat in the last five years. Similarly, in Geita Urban, Constantine Kanyasu faces former Chadema Special Seats MP, Upendo Peneza.

Other hot spots include Mwibara (Charles Kajege vs Kangi Lugola), Buchosa (Eric Shigongo vs Charles Tizeba) and Makete (Festo Sanga vs Prof Norman Sigalla). The competition is also fierce in Morogoro South East, Lushoto and various constituencies in the Southern Highlands.

Political analyst  Faraja Kristomus, notes that many constituencies have become battlegrounds between sitting MPs and former legislators. “What makes this cycle different is the growing influence of party officials and Cabinet members who resigned their posts to join the race,” he said.

Dr Kristomus added that the internal competition in Iringa Urban, Kinondoni and Makete will be particularly telling of CCM’s internal democracy. “We are likely to witness some big surprises this time around.”

According to University of Dar es Salaam lecturer Richard Mbunda, a significant change in this year’s primaries is the increased number of voting delegates. “In some constituencies, the number of voters has jumped from 400 in 2020 to over 7,000. This broader delegate base will impact voting patterns and reduce the chances of bloc manipulation,” he said.

Dr Mbunda also pointed out that several sitting MPs may face rejection due to underperformance. “With a more informed and broader voter base, poor performers are less likely to survive the nomination process.”

Political analyst Gabriel Mwang’onda welcomed CCM’s decision to return more than two names from the district level to the national council for final vetting. “This gives room for real competition and shows an effort to promote transparency within the party,” he said.

CCM’s revised constitution has also altered the mode of voting, now requiring delegates to vote at ward level rather than at centralised venues, as was the case in 2020. Each constituency is expected to host its elections across multiple wards simultaneously.

A parliamentary aspirant who requested anonymity told The Citizen that preparations for the polls are in full swing. “We have agents deployed in every ward to monitor the voting process and ensure transparency,” the aspirant said.

Party insiders also revealed that the primaries have drawn record interest, with more than 11,000 individuals collecting nomination forms for parliamentary seats across the country. Although the actual number of returned forms is lower, competition remains high, particularly in urban areas.

The current primaries come at a politically sensitive time as CCM seeks to renew its leadership ranks in the lead-up to the general election. The party is under public pressure to nominate candidates with strong track records, especially in constituencies where service delivery has been a concern.

As the country moves closer to the October polls, the outcomes of these primaries will not only determine the political fate of individual aspirants but also shape CCM’s electoral narrative in 2025.