CCM buoyant over 2025 elections, registers over 12m members

Dodoma. The chairperson of the ruling party, CCM, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has announced that the party has begun taking concrete steps to ensure victory in the general election later this year.

To achieve this, the party is enhancing its structural organisation, promoting grassroots initiatives, and expanding opportunities for its members to participate in selecting candidates for parliament, the representative council and local councils.

Hassan noted that these efforts necessitated changes to the party's constitution, originally established in 1977, resulting in the December 2022 edition. She emphasised that the party has developed a habit of listening to its members and implementing their feedback, with the constitutional changes aimed at further strengthening the party.

During a special general meeting held in the capital, Dodoma, where the agenda included electing a vice-chairperson to fill the vacancy left by Mr Abdulrahman Kinana in 2024, Hassan stated, "This year is an election year; we must emerge more united from this meeting to finalise our preparations for victory in 2025." Her remarks were met with enthusiasm from over 4,000 delegates present at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre, as well as those following the event through various media outlets across the country.

Hassan reiterated the party's responsibility to safeguard the freedom, dignity, and honour of Tanzanian citizens, stressing that the fate and progress of the populace rests with the party. “Let’s not allow ourselves to be intimidated by our opponents; instead, let’s confidently compete with them to uphold the trust placed in us by the people,” she urged.

The chairperson also took the opportunity to warn members about launching early campaign activities, stating that the party had already gathered photographic evidence of such actions. “We condemn early campaigning and have received complaints along with evidence of individuals conducting caravans in the regions and constituencies. This is a formal warning,” she clarified.

Hassan encouraged all citizens to register or update their information on the voter register promptly. “I urge the members of this general meeting to take this task seriously and ensure our members vote in large numbers,” she added. She emphasised that the party aims to nominate acceptable candidates, avoiding divisions that could weaken its unity.

During the meeting, CCM Secretary General Emmanuel Nchimbi reported that the party had registered over 12 million new members between May and December 31 of last year. He credited this achievement to the successful execution of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) strategy, which expanded membership enrolment through digital means.

According to Nchimbi, as of December 31, 2024, the party successfully registered over 12.14 million new members, a significant increase from 3.69 million in May 2024. He remarked: “This accomplishment strengthens our digital systems and solidifies CCM's position to continue winning local and general elections.”