TANZANIA, Jul 7 – Tanzania’s ruling party is selecting its presidential candidate this week, with the winner expected to take the east African country’s top job after the October elections.
With a weak and fractured opposition, and President Jakaya Kikwete stepping down after his second and final term, competition is stiff with 38 candidates vying to secure the ticket of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, in power since independence in 1964.
Kikwete, the CCM chairman, has said he does not have a “favourite person”, but called on party members to vote for a candidate who could stem corruption.
“Pick a person who is a serious, competent and good leader to boost the country’s economic and social development,” Kikwete told a rally on Monday.
Presidential, parliamentary and local polls are due on October 25.
Frontrunners for the CCM nomination include Vice-President Mohamed Bilal, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, and former prime minsters Edward Lowassa and Frederick Sumaye.
Also in the lineup are Justice Minister Asha-Rose Migiro, a former UN deputy secretary general and ex-foreign minister, as well as current Foreign Minister Bernard Membe.