CCM’s election war chest swells by Sh3.5 billion

CCM ideology, publicity and training secretary Amos Makalla said in Dar es Salaam on Thursday that 5,475 aspirants had collected forms seeking the party’s endorsement to vie for parliamentary seats in constituencies across Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

With the cost of a parliamentary nomination form set at Sh500,000, the 5,475 aspirants contributed Sh2.74 billion.

Mr Makalla estimated that more than 15,000 aspirants had picked forms for civic seats, pushing the total number of leadership hopefuls for both posts in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar to over 20,000.

With each civic nomination form costing Sh50,000, this group would have contributed an estimated Sh750 million—bringing the total raised during this key exercise to over Sh3.488 billion.

The amount is enough to fund the monthly subsidies paid to all political parties qualified after the 2020 General Election for two months—with surplus funds remaining.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa recently informed Parliament that Sh13.17 billion had been disbursed in party subsidies over nine months as of March 2025—averaging Sh1.463 billion per month.

Government subsidies to political parties are determined by the number of votes garnered in the most recent presidential election and seats won in parliamentary and civic elections.

During the 2020–2025 period, CCM had 354 lawmakers, followed by Chadema (20), ACT-Wazalendo (4), CUF (1) and NCCR-Mageuzi.

“We’ve recorded the highest number of people collecting nomination forms in CCM’s history. This demonstrates strong enthusiasm within the party,” Mr Makalla said.

With political parties soon to launch nationwide campaigns to promote their election manifestos and attract voters, the funds raised provide CCM with a significant financial edge heading into the campaign season.

Breaking down the applicants, he said 4,109 candidates had collected forms to contest the 272 parliamentary constituencies on the Mainland; 503 in Zanzibar; 640 through the women’s wing; 161 via the youth wing (UVCCM); and 67 through the elders’ wing.

Mr Makalla said the next step would be the convening of Ward Political Committee meetings starting July 4, 2025.

He noted that the meetings would review civic and Special Seats aspirants and forward their recommendations to the Constituency and District Political Committees for Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania, respectively.

CCM’s regional political committees are scheduled to meet on July 9 to finalise the selection of civic candidates.

However, the final decisions for parliamentary, representative, and special seat nominations will be made by the party’s Central Committee on July 19, 2025.

“I would like to sincerely thank all CCM members and affiliated wings for turning out in large numbers to seek the leadership positions announced by the party,” Mr Makalla said, urging members to remain patient as the committees carry out their duties.

He stressed that the National Executive Council (NEC), under the party’s chairperson, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has instructed all selection committees to uphold justice and fairness in the nomination process.

“No aspirant should be mistreated. Justice must be done and be seen to be done. As we head into elections, CCM will campaign on the government’s achievements and a strong election manifesto. But all that will only resonate if we nominate quality candidates,” he said.

Mr Makalla also warned against corruption within the nomination process, reaffirming that official nomination fees remain Sh50,000 for civic and Sh500,000 for parliamentary seats.

He was responding to reports that some aspirants were allegedly asked to pay additional sums to support local-level election logistics.

He urged affected aspirants to report the incidents to their respective party secretaries and demand refunds.

“We directed that any party official who collected more than the official fee must reimburse the excess. If it is confirmed that some have defied this order, strict disciplinary measures will be taken,” he said.

On women’s participation, Mr Makalla revealed that out of the 4,109 aspirants who picked nomination forms for civic and parliamentary seats in Mainland Tanzania, 263 were women.