WITH two months left to the general election, the ruling party has unveiled its list of parliamentary candidates, while appointing new officials to fill positions in the party secretariat.

The changes were endorsed by the CCM National Executive Committee (NEC), chaired by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, while concluding the final endorsement of candidates in a high-stakes meeting in Dodoma at the weekend.

Analysts said the new secretariat line-up blends relative newcomers with party heavyweights, while dropping some previously untouchable names in endorsing the party’s parliamentary candidates.

“The outcome reflects CCM’s evolving strategy of retaining grassroots trust through familiar political veterans while injecting the youthful energy increasingly demanded by Tanzania’s changing electorate,’ well placed officials noted.

Eyes popped in various places around the country at the exclusion of former Health minister Ummy Mwalimu from the parliamentary race for Tanga Urban, despite leading the primaries with 5,750 votes.

Her name was omitted from the final list for runner up Kassim Mbaraka to win the selection to represent the party in the late October polls, meanwhile as Fredrick Lowassa, scion of the late former prime minister and outgoing MP for Monduli, was also dropped.

This underlined a generational reshuffle that appears to be more competitive than previously assumed in various quarters, conference observers noted.

Paul Makonda, a party insider since the constitutional convention in 2014, becomes the party’s Arusha Urban contestant, rectifying his unsuccessful attempt in Kigamboni in 2020, after having secured a virtual landslide with over 9,000 votes in the primaries.

Pop music star Clayton Chipando, popularly known as Baba Levo, was nominated for the Kigoma Urban contest, having finished second in primaries behind the outgoing MP. His selection, despite not leading the votes, appeared to underscore the party’s embrace of popular public figures to appeal to urban youth. 

Equally captivating was the way former Chadema special seats parliamentarians Esther Matiko (Tarime Urban) and Esther Bulaya (Bunda Urban) made their electoral comeback under the CCM banner. 

Bulaya was selected despite emerging third in the primaries, suggesting deliberate rehabilitation of high-profile women opposition leaders capable of working with the ruling party.

A range of constituencies retained veteran names for MPs, which analysts noted that it signals embracing change without abandoning institutional memory that helped shape its current governance trajectory. 

Names like Prof Joyce Ndalichako (Kasulu Urban), Dr Pius Yanda (Buhigwe), William Lukuvi (Ismani), and Dr Palamagamba Kabudi (Kilosa) illustrate confidence in leaders berthed in the party’s tradition of preferring stability to innovation.

One analyst said that these figures—holding top level cabinet and parliamentary functions —bring not only administrative acumen but also reputational weight, vital in areas where voters are particularly issue-focused.

Nominations for Special Seats, often a barometer of the party’s inclusivity strategy, was also reflected in the generational shift, with youthful leaders like Halima Bulembo, Ng’wasi Kamani, Juliana Shonza and Jesca Magufuli standing out in the party’s list, with strong track records in organising the youth, public service and social sector engagement.

In swing regions like Mbeya, Songwe and Kilimanjaro, where development concerns have merged with shifting political allegiances, CCM has deployed a new class of leaders perceived as results-oriented, including Dr Tulia Ackson (Uyole) and Godfrey Kasekenya (Ileje), both parliamentary veterans.

Outgoing CCM Secretary for Ideology and Publicity Amos Makalla in his remarks at the session affirmed that the NEC selections were driven by performance, integrity and the need for unity within the party.

“The process has involved all structures—from the secretariat to the central committee to the NEC—with a commitment to fielding the best. Even Special Seats nominees reflect both merit and a tactical balancing of internal dynamics,” he specified.

Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, a respected former minister and global civil servant, was named the new party secretary general as Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi is now the presidential candidate’s running mate.

The surprise appointment was another plus for enhancing the role of women within the party, while dowsing factional controversies, and making use of her past experience as a departmental head in the secretariat in past years, after having served as United Nations deputy secretary general.

Kenani Kihongosi, previously Arusha Regional Commissioner, was been appointed to the post of secretary for Ideology, Publicity and Training, taking over from Amos Makalla, who now succeeds him in Arusha as RC.

The candidates list and leadership shuffle show a party deeply aware of shifting political sands. By blending political veterans with youthful personalities, CCM appears to be seeking the trust of long-standing constituencies while rebranding itself to resonate with the under-35 majority that dominates Tanzania’s electorate, one analyst noted.