Tanzania President launches re-election bid as 11 opposition members seek to challenge him

By Our Correspondent, Dodoma TANZANIA

The incumbent Tanzania President, John Magufuli has today collected nomination forms to seek his party’s approval in his second term re-election bid as 11 members of main opposition party seek nomination to challenge him.

Freeman Mbowe

The President was handed the nomination forms early today at the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) headquarters in the capital city of Dodoma by party’s Secretary General, Bashiru Ally.

Yesterday Magufuli dissolved the Tanzania’s 11^th Parliament ahead of elections due in October, pledging a "free and fair" elections in a country where the opposition has decried a climate of fear and violence.

Rev. Peter Msigwa

He took office in 2015 promising a crackdown on corruption but his time in office has drawn criticism by rights groups though yesterday he urged all political parties to "avoid insults and violence" while campaigning.

President Magufuli who doubles as CCM national chairman arrived at the party headquarters alone as he did in 2015 unlike a normal experience where aspirants are accompanied by relatives, party cadres and supporters.

He becomes the first CCM member to collect nomination forms for the position of the Presidency.

“I have collected nomination forms today seeking party approval for re-election. I will start looking for sponsors right away from here (Dodoma) as required by party regulations.” He told reporters.

According to the ruling party’s regulations, intra-party nomination processes have been launched for Union and Zanzibar presidential aspirants within 15 days between June 15 and June 30, 2020.

Lazaro Nyalandu

Members seeking nomination for the Union Presidency would be required to get 250 sponsors in 12 regions two of which should be Zanzibar regions and that the Zanzibar presidential aspirants will seek signatures of the same number from three regions one in Unguja and Pemba.

Party’s vetting process will commence on July 1, 2020 and the party’s candidates for the Union and Zanzibar presidency are expected to be announced on July 12, after conclusion of a two-day party congress that will start on July 11.

Tanzania's main opposition party Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) announced their procedures for nominating candidates for the presidential and parliamentary polls ahead of the October General Election.

Tundu Lissu

Speaking at a press conference in Dar es Salaam last week, Chadema Secretary General, John Mnyika, said they were ready to form an alliance with other opposition parties for the October polls.

So far, 11 members of Chadema have collected nomination forms to challenge President Magufuli if nominated.

The Chadema members aspiring for the top leadership position are Charles Mwita Isaya, Tundu Lissu, Majinge Kavura Mayrose, Manyama Toja Leonard and the party national Chairman Mbowe Aikael Freeman.

Others are Msigwa Simon Peter, Mwanalyela Nicodemus Gasper, Nalo Opiyo, Richmund Simba, Nyalandu Samuel Lazaro and Shabani Msafiri Makene. - Africa