Ahead of the general elections scheduled for October 2020, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Party in Tanzania has endorsed the candidature of controversial incumbent President John Magufuli for a second run at the country’s highest political office.
The Party made and announced its decision following a National Congress held in the administrative capital of Dodoma on July 11, 2020, which saw delegates from different regions cast their votes for a party representative at the upcoming presidential polls. Broadcasted live throughout Tanzania, the congress had President Magufuli, who also doubles as the party’s national chairman, as the only candidate vying for the presidential ticket. President Magufuli also confirmed Samia Suluhu as his running mate.
Speaking during the live broadcast, President Magufuli thanked his party for the endorsement, stating that while he had been elected by “all members” of the party, winning the main election would not be an easy feat. He concluded by calling all members of his party and other supporters to work hard and sell the party’s manifesto. The party further stated that its election manifesto for the next five years will focus heavily on good governance, justice, revolutionizing agriculture, and job creation, among others.
Reign of Terror
Coming into power in 2015 under the CCM, Magufuli had pledged to curb corruption in the East African state. However, over the past few years, he has come under fire for silencing opposition, narrowing freedoms, and most recently, covering up the country’s coronavirus status – the country has not released coronavirus data since April.
An opposition party, Chadema, had also pointed fingers at President Magufuli after opposition leader and government critic, Freeman Mbowe, who is set to run against Magufuli, had been attacked by unknown assailants this year. While Amnesty International called out the government for its plan to deregister opposition parties for “contravening the Act”.
The National Electoral Commission (NEC), has also expressed readiness for the October polls. “I would like to assure you that NEC is ready and well prepared for this year’s general elections. The team is there for you to ensure fairness and free election,” said NEC’s Director for Information and Voter’s Education, Giveness Aswile, in a recent televised broadcast.
