How CCM, Chadema, ACT Wazalendo prepare for civic polls, general election

In local government elections, citizens will elect leaders for their villages, hamlets, and neighborhoods.

During the general election, voters will choose councillors, legislators, and the president.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who also serves as the national chairperson of the ruling party, CCM, has undertaken a series of visits across various regions.

Her travels have taken her to Katavi, Rukwa, Songwe, and Morogoro, engaging with local communities and addressing regional issues.

During her visits, the President has been inspecting the progress of development projects and addressing key challenges faced by citizens, including the low prices of agricultural produce such as maize and paddy.

Read: Hopes and challenges as Tanzanian elections near

She has also used the visit to strengthen CCM ahead of the civic polls in 2024 and the general election in 2025.

“Despite your assurances, I must remind you about the upcoming local government election.

We need to secure our positions and ensure no one has the opportunity to undermine our efforts.

It is crucial that we protect our roles diligently,” President Hassan emphasised in her speech concluding the CCM Parents Wing week in Katavi Region.

At the end of her visit to the Rukwa Region, President Hassan stressed the importance of active participation in the upcoming elections.

She particularly encouraged the youth, women, and parents’ wings to mobilise public engagement and ensure active and full participation in the electoral process.

“Under the leadership of the CCM-led government, the development we have achieved is undeniable.

We must ensure that no hamlet, neighbourhood, or electoral jurisdiction is lost in future elections.

Vote for CCM to support its continued governance and the progress it has delivered for the benefit of all citizens,” she stated at a rally held at CCM’s Mandela Stadium in Sumbawanga.

Speaking at Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro Region, President Hassan urged citizens to elect pro-development leaders in the upcoming local government elections this November.

“Vote for leaders who will prioritise citizen welfare and drive development through effective management of public funds.

Read: What political parties want before 2025 General Election

They should tackle the challenges faced by citizens, provide proper oversight, and ensure funds are utilised effectively,” President Hassan urged.

She then asked the crowd which political party these leaders should belong to, with the audience responding in favour of CCM.

Meanwhile, CCM Secretary-General Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, joined by CCM’s Ideology, Publicity, and Training Secretary Amos Makalla; Political and International Relations Secretary Ms Rabia Hamid Abdallah; and Organisation Department Secretary Mr Issa Ussi Gavu, have been touring various regions.

Their aim is to bolster the party’s presence and evaluate the progress of the election manifesto’s implementation.

The CCM secretariat visited different regions, including Singida, Manyara, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, and Tanga, between May 28 and June 8, 2024, as well as Rukwa, Songwe, Mbeya, Njombe, and Ruvuma Regions in April this year.

The team also visited Mtwara and Lindi between July 28 and July 31, and they have recently commenced a tour of the Kigoma, Kagera, Geita, Mwanza, and Mara regions that will take place between August 4 and August 18.

These visits were designed not only to strengthen the party but also to prepare the public for the upcoming local government and general elections.

In contrast, Chadema visited four regions in the northern zone—Arusha, Manyara, Tanga, and Kilimanjaro—where they conducted 105 political rallies.

The 21-day operation, led by Chairman Freeman Mbowe and Vice Chairman (Mainland) Tundu Lissu, was focused on reaching 35 constituencies.

Addressing a rally in Hai District, Kilimanjaro Region, Mr Mbowe said Chadema is determined to restore its lost political glory in the northern regions.
“We aim to restore the party’s respect as opposition leaders in the northern regions.

I am returning home to finalise our efforts after covering other regions,” he stated.

He said Chadema was targeting a 90 percent victory in this year’s local government election.

Addressing a separate rally in Dareda Ward, Babati District, Manyara Region, Mr Mbowe called on party cadres, members, and supporters to get well-prepared to ensure the party emerges victorious in this year’s elections.

“You should be ready to teach CCM a lesson.

They know they’re out of steam and can’t win without resorting to malpractice,” he said.

Another opposition party, ACT-Wazalendo, has begun a tour of 22 regions, targeting 125 constituencies to prepare for both the local government elections and the general election in 2025.

The party’s Information, Publicity, and Public Relations department announced that party leader Ms Dorothy Semu will visit Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Dodoma, Singida, and Manyara, covering 30 constituencies.

Meanwhile, her predecessor, Mr Zitto Kabwe, will focus on 36 constituencies across the Kigoma, Rukwa, Katavi, Tabora, Kahama, and Shinyanga regions.

Additionally, the party’s Vice Chairman (Mainland), Isihaka Mchinjita, will tour the Ruvuma, Selous, Mtwara, Lindi, Coast, and Tanga regions, covering 38 constituencies.

The opposition Secretary General, Ado Shaibu, will tour Mwanza, Geita, Mara, and Kagera, covering 21 constituencies.

During the visit, ACT-Wazalendo highlighted several challenges faced by citizens, including land disputes, misuse of public funds, excessive levies, declining cotton prices, rising national debt, mismanagement of funds allocated for development projects, water shortages, and the need for free health services for expectant mothers.

However, Mr Kabwe called on the government to address the issues facing citizens who have acquired citizenship through naturalisation.

During a rally at Nsimbo District Council in Katavi Region, Mr Kabwe said that some naturalised citizens were being denied certain rights, particularly their full participation in politics.

“How long will this continue? For how long will these citizens’ rights be denied?” he questioned, adding that his party plans to broadcast, condemn, and protest the denial of these rights on a global scale, asserting that they do not deserve to be treated as second-class citizens.

Speaking to The Citizen, a political science lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dr Richard Mbunda said CCM, Chadema, and ACT-Wazalendo have distinguished themselves as serious political parties.

“Globally, political party members will seek opportunities to promote their agenda, whether during rallies or parliamentary sessions when such prospects arise,” he said over the phone.

Read: Tanzania’s election laws make it hard to build political opposition – what needs to change

A University of Dodoma (UDOM) lecturer, Dr Paul Loisulie, said all over the world, opposition political parties strive to gain power while ruling parties work to retain it.

Furthermore, he noted that pluralism involves several political parties, but typically only three to four parties emerge as stronger than the rest.

“Strong competition in the forthcoming elections will be between the ruling CCM, Chadema, and ACT-Wazalendo,” he said.

Dr Loisulie said despite the amendment of election laws, CCM stands to benefit compared to opposition parties, commending the government for lifting the imposed ban on political activities.

“Political parties should  unite if they are to mature and benefit from the existing political landscape.

It is expensive for individual parties to carry political activities across the country,” he observed.

A Political Science and Public Administration lecturer at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT), Dr Revocatus Kabobe, said most political parties will end up carrying out political activities at the regional and district level.

“Stiff opposition during the civic polls and the general election next year will remain between CCM and Chadema for Tanzania Mainland and CCM against ACT-Wazalendo for Tanzania Zanzibar,” he said.