Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) Election Committee Secretary Abdulrahman Khamis Karume (centre) announced the candidates ahead of the April 12 election in Dar es Salaam. On the left is outgoing TOC President Gullam Rashid, while on the right is TOC Secretary General Filbert Bayi. PHOTO | COURTESY
Dar es Salaam. The race for leadership in the Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) has gained momentum after 24 candidates were cleared to proceed in the preliminary screening for the upcoming General Election scheduled for April 12 in Dar es Salaam.
Among the key contenders for the presidency are Henry Benny Tandau and Leonard Thadeo Katunzi, who have both been approved to contest for the top position following the vetting process. In Zanzibar, Hassan Khairalla Tawakal has also been cleared to vie for the presidency.
For the position of Vice President, Nasra Juma Mohamed stands as the sole approved candidate, moving forward unopposed after meeting all the required qualifications set by the election committee.
The pool of candidates approved for member positions is also competitive. From mainland Tanzania, the cleared candidates include Muharam Salum Mchume, Noolerain Gulam Hussein Shariff, Dr Devota John Marwa, Amina Mohamed Mfaume, Khalid Yahya Rushaka, Suma Stephen Mwaikenda, Noel Kiunsi, Abdulkher Mohamed Ahmed, Jonathan Mushumbusi Kassano, Innocent John Mallya, Andrew Godfrey Kapeleka, and Eliasa Abdallah Mkongo.
From Zanzibar, the approved candidates for member positions include Faida Salmin Juma, Makame Ali Machano, Thuwaiba Aboud Muhiddin, Mwatima Bakari Abdi, Suleiman Ame Khamis, Abdul Rahman Said Simai, Said Mohamed Abdulla, and Juma Khamis Zaidy.
TOC Election Committee Secretary Abdulrahman Khamis Karume confirmed that 28 candidates initially collected nomination forms, but four were disqualified for failing to meet the eligibility criteria.
He emphasized that the 24 remaining candidates satisfied all the necessary requirements to participate in the election.
Karume further assured that the entire electoral process has been conducted in strict adherence to the established rules and procedures to guarantee a free and fair election.
The next phase of the election process involves the submission of appeals, which will take place from now until April 3. The Appeals Committee will then review and address any objections between April 4 and April 6.
After that, the final screening of candidates will be conducted from April 7 to April 11, during which official campaigns will begin.
The TOC General Election will then take place on April 12 in Dar es Salaam, marking a crucial moment in shaping the future leadership of the country’s Olympic body.
