CCM explores term limits for special seats amid debate 

The former CCM Women Wing (UWT) chairperson, Ms Sophia Simba, has called for the imposition of term limits for special seats so that other individuals can assume these positions.

CCM’s female members from UWT have dominated by snapping most of the special seat slots at the expense of women from other CCM wings, specifically the Youth Wing (UVCCM) and the Parents Wing (Wazazi).

One of the reasons is because it is the UWT that conducts the primary process that elects aspirants for special seats.

The names of those aspirants who got the most votes during the primary process are sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which eventually prepares the final list of special seat MPs and councillors.

But reports indicated that UVCCM and Wazazi are now pushing for equal representation in local councils and parliaments, similar to the UWT’s.

For this to be possible, suggestions have been floated for term limits or the decrease of seats allocated to UWT to allow for increased representation from the Wazazi and UVCCM groups.

Currently, CCM has 94 special seats in parliament.

In response to these developments, the CCM Secretary of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Mr Amos Makalla, has clarified that the special seats are the property of the political party.

Speaking to The Citizen’s sister paper Mwananchi on February 21, 2025, Mr Makalla stated that UWT is responsible for selecting the special seat representatives through a primary process.

Mr Makalla said debates are to be expected, as some women in Wazazi and UVCCM are also seeking a larger share of the special seats.

Mr Makalla assured CCM members that the party would provide a new framework for the allocation of these seats ahead of the upcoming election but emphasised that UWT would continue to manage the selection process.

He ruled out equal distribution of these positions among the various party wings.

Term limit debate

Speaking on Friday, February 28, 2025, during the 15th-anniversary celebrations of the Women Politicians’ Network (Ulingo) and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration in Dar es Salaam, Ms Simba, said that UWT had previously proposed a 10-year term limit for special seats.

“It’s reached a point where after 10 years, we look at each other’s faces, and we have to ask, can this person go to the constituency and contest? Should we allow them to continue? Why can’t they vie for the seat in a constituency or a ward?” she remarked.

She said that the issue of special seats has already been widely discussed in party meetings.

She noted that the purpose of special seats is to empower women and provide them with skills and financial resources [from salaries and allowances] to prepare them for running in constituencies.

“Therefore, I expect that this year, special seats who have served for more than 10 years will step down to pave the way for younger ones. If you have stayed on a special seat for 20 years and still cannot contest in a constituency, then you are not empowering yourself. Refusing to leave is akin to greed,” said Simba.

Ms Simba gave examples of Zakhia Meghji and Anna Abdallah, who moved on to contest in the constituencies after serving as special seat MPs.

She encouraged women to contest for constituencies to increase the number of women in parliament and urged young women to start their political careers early by trying their luck in elective politics rather than waiting to be appointed.

Veteran politician and former CCM MP, Ms Kate Kamba, also spoke with The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi about the issue.

She emphasised that special seats should serve as a training ground for women in politics before they move on to contest constituency seats.

“People should understand that politics is tough. You must be strong, accept to win or lose and not harbour grudges if the results are not as you expected,” she said over the phone.

She said it was time to set term limits for these seats, and the party's meetings should decide how long a person should remain in a special seat before they move on to contest in a constituency or ward.

The need for term limitsSpecial seat lawmaker, Ms Husna Sekiboko, CCM, agreed that term limits are appropriate, as special seats function as a training ground.

She suggested that the period could range from five years to ten years.

“If we want to offer opportunities for more women, we should limit the term to five years so more women can have a chance. But if we want to build capacity, two terms (ten years) might suffice, after which they should move to constituency or ward politics,” said Ms Sekiboko.

She emphasised that special seats should not be seen as an entitlement.

Women should compete in elections, even though many still face challenges with confidence issues, public speaking skills and campaigning.

Another special seat legislator who sought anonymity echoed the idea of term limits, arguing that they would help women gain valuable experience before transitioning to constituency politics.

"Not just in special seats, but even in constituencies, there are people who have been in the MPs in the constituencies for over 20 years. Competing with such people is tough because campaigns require funds,” the MP remarked.

On Ulingo’s anniversary

Regarding the 15th Ulingo anniversary and the 30th Beijing Conference centenary, Ms Simba highlighted the significant progress recorded, including increased appointments for women to leadership positions.

She said there is a significant rise in elected female leaders and growing awareness among women to engage in politics compared to past years.

Ulingo’s Coordinator, Dr Ave-Maria Semakafu, expressed pride in raising the profile of women in decision-making and democratic processes.

She recalled how, in 2015, they observed the challenges women face during elections and fought for gender equality, particularly pushing for 50/50 representation in the Constituent Assembly.

“The most significant achievement is in advocating for 50/50 representation in the Constitutional Assembly, where the chairman was a male, and the deputy was a female. We are happy that the former deputy is now Tanzania’s President, Samia Suluhu Hassan,” said Ms Semakafu.

She also noted that Ulingo has united women from various political affiliations.

Ulingo representative from Zanzibar, Ms Sitti Abbas Ali, urged young women to come forward and seek election positions in the upcoming elections.

The Association of Women with Disabilities (Sawuta) Chairperson, Ms Stela Jairosi, stated that Ulingo has empowered women, resulting in five disabled MPs and 13 councillors.

Representing the Registrar of Political Parties, Assistant Registrar Hollo Kazi emphasised that political parties should utilise their positions to ensure gender issues are prioritised in their policies.

(Reported by Nasra Abdallah, Elizabeth Edward (Dar); Habel Chidawali, and Sharon Sauwa (Dom)