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By Elias Msuya
 Very reference to how aspirants are planning to implement their party policies has found its way to media reportage. Since the beginning of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) primaries, what we have been reading more is corruption and gimmicks by the aspirants. The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) has a heavy task before it as it seems all contestants have decided that it is corruption which is going to land them the posts.
We started to see the tricks when aspirants started to collect nomination forms on July 19. There are those who were accompanied by long entourage of cars with friends and supported singing their praises.
In Kilimanjaro region for instance, one contestant was accompanied by a 20-car entourage with posters flashing supporters singing and dancing. Cars with loud speakers introduced him as an MP in waiting.
The entourage started in Marangu at Himo small town. But because the ruling party election regulations do not allow, the escort did not reach the CCM district headquarters.
A total of 34 aspirants have picked nomination forms in Kilimanjaro region. There are other regions where more than 50 people have collected and returned the nomination forms.
In Dar es Salaam the situation was similar. But PCCB officers took their positions and waited for any incident of bribing. There are those who posed as CCM cadres and mingled with other CCM members. They were in special mission.
In Temeke district, one aspirant decided to go for another peculiar way of collecting the forms. Instead of using cars, he decided to use a motorcycles. He was escorted by string of three wheeler bajajs and more than ten motorcycles.
He is the one who is giving Abbas Mtemvu a headache in his mission to defend the seat.
In KIgamboni, a total of 12 people have come forward to wrestle Abraham Mwichumu Msomi who is also defending the post. Not want to be outdone, the incumbent went with more than seven posh cars to collect the forms.
Things are more interesting in Kinondoni where prominent names such as Nape Nauye, Idd Azzan, Shyrose Bhanji, Hawa Ngh'umbi, Albert Nchimbi, Shamsa Mwangunga and others are battling for the seats in Ubungo, Kawe and Kinondoni constituencies.
In Arusha Urban the battle seem to be between the minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Environment) Dr Batilda Burian and the outgoing MP, Mr Felx Mrema.
But it is what is happening in Monduli which is more interesting, the Arusha regional chief medical officer, Dr Salash Toure, has picked nomination forms to face the former Prime Minister, Mr Edward Lowassa.
In Zanzibar, almost all ministers from the Zanzibar government have come forward to defend their parliamebnt and representatives seats. More than 30 aspirants came to pick the forms in Mtwara region where there are only seven constituencies.
The race to parliament this year has attracted record participants. Most of them have shade their fears and come to face the prominent cadres. Apart from Monduli, such situation was recorded in Mtera where the long serving CCM cadre and retired leader, Dr John Malecela, was opposed by Livingstone Lusinde, Christopher Nyamwanji and Amosi Machilika.
There are some ‘elders’ who were considered to have retired from active politics. Some of them decided to come from ‘retirement’ and try their luck. They include Maokola Majogo who served as Nachingwea MP for many years before he voluntarily decided to step down in 2005. Nalaila Kiula and Arcard Ntagazwa, who were beaten in past polls, also have decided planned a comeback and they have all collected nomination forms.
Mr Kiula is seeking the Iramba West seat where he is facing challenge from the outgoing MP, Juma Kilimbah. Mr Kiula had been MP for 20 years and he was appointed a minister during the first phase government under Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
Mr Ntagazwa is former MP for Kasulu. He also served in the ministerial post in the third phase government under President Benjamin Mkapa.
Other old timers who have decided to try their luck include the former Rombo MP between 1995 and 2000, Mr Justin Salakana, who is now seeking to battle Mr Phillemon Ndesamburo in Moshi Urban. Mr Ndesamburo of Chadema has dominated the post for the past 15 years.
Mr Peter Kabisa, the former Kinondoni MP between 200 and 2005, has come back to reclaim the seat.
Corruption
Contrary to many people expectations that the campaigns would be dominated by policies, it is corruption which is catching headlines in the local media. PCCB has already arrested a number of CCM cadres in connection with corruption during the campaigns. And this is just the beginning.
It is expected that with the new Election Financing Act, many people will be netted. The new law has widen the ‘political corruption’ base and given more powers to authorities involved in checking corruption practices in elections.
If the authorities decide to be serious, there is no doubt that many people will be arrested and successful charged as it seems that many aspirants have already decided that it is corruption, and not policies, that will assure them of victory.
Such incidents occur despite warnings by CCM national chairman, President Jakaya Kikwete that this year the ruling party would not tolerate anyone involved in bribing voters. He has already given a green light to PCCB chief, Dr Edward Hoseah, to round all those who would be involved in corruption and charge them.
And PCCB has started to act. There are reports of arrests involving several CCM members, including some outgoing MPs. The number of CCM members who are arrested on corruption reports is growing on a daily basis.
President Kikwete has also declared that the party will not bother to defend any of its members who will be involved in corruption. Those who are going to be caught in corruption cobweb, will be on their own, he warned.
CCM itself has already suspended some of its leaders on corruption allegations. Is this the sign that the ruling party is serious in taming corruption?
Ends
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