THE ruling CCM has issued lists of aspirants before preferential votes for nomination as the party’s candidates for Tanzania’s two legislative chambers – the Union National Assembly and the Zanzibar House of Representatives.

Amos Makalla, the CCM Ideology, Publicity and Training secretary, issued shortlists for each region and constituency, where experienced legislators make bids for comeback, including former Speaker Job Ndugai (Kongwa) and cabinet ministers William Lukuvi and George Simbachawene.

Also featuring are a number of well-known broadcasters, newspaper journalists and media administrators, specifically Hamisi Mkotya, Salim Kikeke, Baruani Muhuza, Francis Nanai, Jerry Muro, Jane Mihanji, Shafi Dauda, Manyerere Jackton, Angela Akilimali, Tumaini Msowoya and Cosmas Makongo.

They are joined by noted book author Nyambari Nyangwine along with entertainers, among them Revocatus Chipanjo alias Baba Levo. 

The list conspicuously lacks a number of spirited MPs, including Luhaga Mpina (Kisesa), Mrisho Gambo (Arusha Urban), Christopher ole Sendeka (Simanjiro), January Makamba (Bumbuli), Angeline Mabula (Ilemela) and Zuberi Kuchauka (Liwale).

Similarly noticeable were the omissions, after CCM Ethics Committee deliberations of socialites seeking nomination, of the likes of Young Africans SC president Hersi Said (Kigamboni), ex- Hai DC Lengai ole Sabaya (Arumeru West) and Burton Mwemba alias Mwijaku (Mvomero).

Similarly, a number of ex-Special Seats opposition MPs who crossed over to the ruling party earlier this year made the list, including Esther Matiko (Tarime Urban), Esther Bulaya (Bunda Urban), Kunti Majala (Chemba) and Sophia Mwakagenda (Rungwe).

The list also features names of cadres who resigned from positions of regional commissioner to vie for parliamentary seats, namely, Daniel Chongolo (Makambako), Paul Makonda (Arusha) and Dr Juma Homera (Namtumbo).

Rev Peter Msigwa, who defected from Chadema late last year to join CCM also features on the list, ready to contest for the nomination with sitting MP Jesca Msambatavangu (Iringa Urban).

Deputy Prime Minister and Energy minister Dr Doto Biteko was nominated without opposition for his Bukombe constituency, as have bigwigs Salma Kikwete (Mchinga), Ridhiwan Kikwete (Chalinze) and Hamad Hassan Chande (Kojani).

This was the overall outcome as a fierce wave of internal competition gripped the ruling party, with thousands of members and pre-campaign groups biting the lower lip as the publicity chief released the party parliamentary nomination lists yesterday.

Analysts noted that many constituencies registered an unusually high number of aspirants vying for the party’s ticket ahead of the upcoming (October 29) General Election.

After nearly ten hours of anxious waiting, the party announced the long-anticipated list, triggering immediate political activity across the country. 

The nominations reflect a highly competitive internal environment, with an average of five to eight aspirants per constituency, underscoring growing interest and ambition within the party’s ranks.

In Arusha Urban constituency, seven candidates are now set to contest for the parliamentary ticket, namely, Ally Said Babu, Hussein Omar Hajji Gonga, Aminatha Salash Toure, Mustapha Said Nassoro, Paul Christian Makonda, Lwembo Mkwavi Mgweno and Jasper Augustino Kishumbu. With Arusha often seen as a politically strategic area, the battle is expected to be particularly intense.

In Dodoma Urban constituency, the competition is equally fierce with eight contenders making the list.

They are Rashid Mashaka, Pascal Inyasi Chinyere, Samwel Malecela, Samwel Marwa Kisaro, Fatuma Yusufu Waziri, Robert Daniel Mwinje, Rosemary Chambe Jairo and Abdulhabib Jaffar Mwanyemba.

Given Dodoma’s status as the national capital, this race carries significant weight.

Several other constituencies have similarly emerged as hotspots. For instance, Busanda has four aspirants: Lolesia Masele Bukwimba, Dr Busanda Lucas Busanda, Dr Jafar Rajab Seif and Dr Sadock Peter Mathias.

In Chato North, there are five aspirants including Medard Kalemani, while Chato South has four, among them Sylvester Mapinda Saimon.

Geita Urban constituency features five contenders, listed as Chacha Mwita Wambura, Costantine John Kanyasu, Upendo Furaha Peneza, Gabriel Luhumbi Robert and John Udoya Saulo.

Despite intense competition across most regions, a few constituencies witnessed uncontested nominations, with Salma Kikwete (Mchinga), Ridhiwani Kikwete (Chalinze) and Dr Doto Biteko (Bukombe) the more outstanding unopposed figures.

As the party heads into the next phase of internal voting, all eyes will be on how CCM will manage this wave of internal “rivalry”. The outcomes will not only determine the party’s line-up for the impending national elections but also test its ability to maintain unity amid deepening internal competition.