ZANZIBAR: THE ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has released the official list of candidates approved to contest for positions of mayor, deputy mayor and chairpersons of town, municipal and district councils across the country.
The announcement was made yesterday by CCM Secretary for Ideology, Publicity and Training, Mr Kenani Kihongosi, during a press briefing at the CCM sub-head office in Kisiwandui, Zanzibar, ahead of the council leadership elections scheduled for today.
Mr Kihongosi said the names were endorsed during a CCM Central Committee meeting chaired by CCM National Chairperson and President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan held in Zanzibar on Saturday.
“The party has completed its work and these are the official CCM candidates who will contest in today’s election. The democratic process within the party has been followed thoroughly,” he told journalists.
The approved candidates will compete against nominees from other political parties in nationwide local government polls.
The endorsed list covers all regions of Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, with nominees for city and municipal mayors, deputy mayors, town council chairpersons, district council chairpersons.
According to Mr Kihongosi city mayor candidates are Omary Kumbilamoto, Nurdin Juma, Saady Khimji, Robert Manangwa (Dar es Salaam), Maxmilliam Iranghe, Matuyani Laizer, Credo Kifukwe (Arusha), Hassan Makamba, Prof Davis Mwamfupe, Alimwoni Chaula (Dodoma), Godwin Mwakyusa, Dr Mohamed Rahmat, Benjamin Mwandete (Mbeya), Sima Costantine Sima, Happynes Ibasa Mwanza (Nyamagana) and Seleboss Mustafa, Joseph Culyvas, Idd Samangagho and Hamza Bwanga for Tanga.
The municipal mayor candidates are Zaidi Muliro, Ashura Sengodo and Laurence Mlaki (Ubungo), Abdulkadir Mgeni and Songoro Mnyonge (Kinondoni), Juma Mkenga and Uzairu Athumani (Temeke) and for Kigamboni are Amin Sambo and Ernest Ndamo.
The list has Leonard Kiganga, Costantine Mtani and Ruben Sagaika (Geita), Galus Lugenge, Ibrahim Ngwada, Jackson Chaula (Iringa), Acton Lwankomezi and Ramadhani Kambuga (Bukoba), Alex Mwazelah, Soud Chande and Charles Philipo (Mpanda), Himid Himid, Mussa Ibrahimu and Bakari Beji (Kigoma Ujiji).
Alos in the list are Zuberi Kidumo, Stallone Malinda and Deogratias Mallya (Moshi), Idd Lulida, Juma Mpendakulya and Twahil Mpuluji (Lindi), Alex Nyabiti, Athumani Mohamed Athumani and Magafu Kitundure (Musoma), Milikiel Mansuet, Richard Mmanda and Khalid Matengo (Morogoro), Saidi Zaid, Muhidini Kwanda and Suleiman Lenga (Mtwara Mikindani), Sara Ng’hwani, William Bulugu and Grace Kweka (Ilemela) Those eyeing Kibaha Urban are Dr Nicas Ginhu, Erneus Mapunda and John Katele, while Sumbawanga Urban contestants are Frank Mzindakaya, Frank Lupimo and Patrick Sali.
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Abrahamu Mbunda, Benson Sovella and Joel Makumbuli are contesting for Songea, same as Reuben Kitinya, Salum Kitumbo and Ezekiel Sabo (Shinyanga), Mataluma Kaniki, Yahya Bundala and Abelo Mabao (Kahama), Geofrey Mdaman, Emmanuel Emadaki, Yusuph Makera and Hassam Mkata (Singida), while Tabora Urban has Saada Malunde, Gulamhussein Remtullah and Mussa Kahyolo.
For Zanzibar candidates, the following individuals have been listed: Ali Khamis Bakar (Doholo), Ali Juma Shaib, Salma Khamis Tumu and Masoud Ali Hamad (Micheweni District), Hassan Hamad Ali, Salhiya Salim Khatib and Zulfa Abdalla Said (Wete District).
Others are Suleiman Makame Ali, Mtumwa Suleiman Salum, Rashid Khamis Yussuf and Salim Kitwana Sururu (Chake Chake District), Muslim Hakim Choum and Rajab Ali Ussi (Mkoani District), Kombo Sheha Haji, Suleiman Juma Kimea, Pandu Salum Sungura and Nyange Kheri Ali (North A District), Soud Hamza Ame, Mashauri Shehe Khamis, Ame Simai Daima and Salma Juma Saleh (North B District).
Other candidates are Juma Kumba Juma, Ussi Ali Mtumwa, Said Hassan Shaaban (Central District), Mustafa Mohammed Haji, Makame Ramadhan Makame (South Unguja District).
The list has Kamal Abdul-Satar Haji (Zanzibar City), Chumu Shuwari Machano, Arafa Mohamed Salum and Juma William Sungwa (West A District), Khamis Hassan Haji, Hassan Ali Nassor (West B District) as well as Khadija Saleh Ali and Mohamed Ibrahim Hassanali (Razalee) — Urban District.
The extensive list reflects a mix of new faces and experienced local leaders, nominated to spearhead CCM’s representation in local authorities.
Mr Kihongosi said that the party expects a peaceful and well-organised election process, urging all candidates to maintain discipline and uphold CCM principles throughout the campaigns.
The elections, conducted through council chambers nationwide, will determine who leads Tanzania’s key municipal and district bodies for the next term