PARTIES PICK CANDIDATIES FOR IGUNGA BY-ELECTION

Igunga.CCM and the opposition Chadema yesterday released preliminary nomination results for candidates vying for the parties’ tickets to contest the Igunga by-election on October 2.The naming of the top three contenders from each of the parties signal a crucial turning point as the stage is set for campaigns next month as political parties seek to capture the seat left vacant by the resignation of former area CCM MP Mr Rostam Aziz.

Other than CCM and Chadema, other parties expected to take part in the poll are the Civic United Front (CUF), Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) and NCCR-Mageuzi. Mr Moses Edward has already been named as TLP’s candidate, while Mr Leopard Mahona who came second in last year’s General Election would represent CUF.

The three top contenders from CCM and Chadema will now be taken to the respective top party organs for the final pick, while the opposition party’s national chairman Mr Freeman Mbowe is today expected to chair a meeting that will come up with the final name.

Yesterday, CCM district secretary for Igunga Ms Neema Adam declared the commissioner for minerals, Dr Peter Kafumu, Mr Jafari Omar and Mr Shamus Brahamu as winners of the primaries after obtaining 588, 193 and 38 votes, respectively.

The CCM official said a total of 950 delegates attended the meeting to vote for 13 party members who had sought nomination to replace Mr Aziz who resigned in July.

The nomination exercise took place at the St Leo’s Hall in Igunga Township. Reports claim that the nomination exercise was marred by bribery attempts with the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) said to be holding three suspects who were caught distributing money allegedly given by one of the candidates.

However, the PCCB chief for Igunga, Mr John Ngunangwa, declined to confirm or deny the reports, saying he would give a full report later.For its part, Chadema official Mwikabe Mwita Waitara announced that Joseph Mwandu, Isabela Makelemo and Juma Chacha had garnered the highest votes.

The three got 63, 53 and 43 votes respectively, in a meeting which brought 309 delegates at Sakao Hall in Igunga. Mr Waitara said 16 party members had picked forms seeking nomination.
source by the citzen