CCM enters crucial week of hard decisions as vetting intensifies

Dar es Salaam. The ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has entered one of its most decisive weeks ahead of the 2025 General Election, as it intensifies internal vetting to shortlist candidates for parliamentary, councillorship, representative, and special seat positions.

Beginning Monday, July 14, CCM’s nomination machinery enters a critical phase, with key party committees meeting to scrutinise thousands of aspirants who collected nomination forms last month.

This week’s deliberations are expected to set the tone for final selections, with the party preparing to field candidates in what is anticipated to be one of the most competitive elections in recent years.

On Monday, district-level implementation committees of the party’s women’s wing, commonly known by its Kiswahili abbreviation as UWT, will begin vetting aspirants seeking special seat councillorships. The following day, regional UWT committees will meet to assess parliamentary and representative hopefuls for special seats.

The process escalates on Wednesday and Thursday, July 17 and 18, when the UWT National Executive Committee convenes to vote and shortlist nominees for women’s special seats in parliament and the House of Representatives in Zanzibar.

The week’s climax comes on Saturday, July 19, when the CCM Central Committee meets to endorse a maximum of three names per position.

The decisions made during this session will determine who proceeds to public opinion polling and final confirmation.

According to CCM figures, more than 20,000 members applied for various posts.

These include 4,109 parliamentary aspirants, 640 applicants for special seats via party wings, and over 15,000 individuals seeking councillorship in more than 3,900 wards nationwide.

Addressing journalists earlier this month, CCM’s Secretary for Ideology, Publicity and Training, Mr Amos Makalla, reaffirmed President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s directive that the process must uphold fairness and transparency.

“Our chairperson has made it clear that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done. We must avoid favouritism and ensure that our selections reflect the will of the people and the values of our party,” Mr Makalla said.

He said that the party is heading into the elections with a strong development record under the 2020–2025 manifesto, and it must nominate candidates capable of articulating and defending those achievements.

“Choosing the right candidates is crucial. If we conduct a just vetting process, we’ll reduce internal grievances and present a united front in the campaign,” he said.

Speaking in Dodoma on Sunday, July 13, 2025, Mr Makalla urged aspirants to remain calm as the process unfolds, assuring them that no one has been disqualified or excluded prematurely.

“Reports from ward, district and regional meetings have been received. Today, at the party headquarters, we began national-level assessments with the CCM Secretariat reviewing submissions from across the country,” he said in Dodoma on Sunday.

“There are rumours that some candidates have been ‘eliminated’ or not listed in the top three. I want to clarify that no one has been disqualified or ‘axed.’ This is an ongoing internal process guided by party regulations,” Mr Makalla stressed.

He acknowledged the overwhelming number of applicants, noting that while many had demonstrated commitment and good intentions, not all could be nominated due to the limited number of positions.

Mr Makalla urged those who may not be selected to remain loyal and continue supporting the party, adding that discipline and unity post-primaries would be crucial for CCM’s campaign strength.

Also weighing in on the matter, former Prime Minister and Central Committee member Mizengo Pinda underscored the importance of integrity throughout the nomination process.

Speaking during an inspection of CCM’s office renovations in Tanga Region, Mr Pinda cautioned vetting officials to exercise justice and impartiality, warning that mismanagement could sow discord and weaken the party ahead of the October polls.

“This is a defining moment for CCM. We must be extremely careful in choosing our candidates. Those leading this process must uphold justice and transparency. When the process is fair, grievances are minimised, and we nominate candidates who reflect the party’s vision,” he said.

He stressed that the task is not merely to select candidates, but to select the right candidates—those who resonate with voters and uphold CCM’s credibility.

“Our goal must be to field competent, respected and competitive candidates—individuals who can stand toe-to-toe with opposition rivals and win.

If we field weak or unpopular figures, we risk losing ground. This process is not routine; it is strategic,” he noted.

The internal screening process will continue through August, culminating in the Central Committee’s final endorsements between August 17 and 20, when CCM is expected to announce its full slate of candidates for the general election.

Political analysts say the decisions made during this period will shape the party’s electoral strategy and public image as it heads into a challenging election season.

Prof Makame Ali Ussi of the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) said CCM faces the complex task of balancing loyalty, popularity, and competence from its large pool of experienced and emerging leaders.

“They must choose not just contenders, but political assets who reflect both the party’s legacy and future,” he said.

Dr Onesmo Kyauke of the University of Dar es Salaam said CCM’s internal systems have long enabled it to manage large numbers of aspirants, noting that this year is no exception.

“It’s a tough week, but not unusual for CCM. Their strong structures and institutional memory help them manage the complexities of nomination, which is key to their continued dominance,” he said.