CCM Ideology and Publicity Secretary, Mr Nape Nnauye
Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) primary nomination for the Arumeru East by-election will be repeated on Thursday, in a two-day exercise that ends on Saturday when the party’s flag bearer in the upcoming by-election will be named.
CCM Ideology and Publicity Secretary, Mr Nape Nnauye told a news conference in Dar es Salaam on Monday that the winner of last week primaries, Mr Sioi Sumari failed to garner 50 per cent of the votes cast and a re-run was a must.The race initially involved 6 candidates, but a potentially tough face-off will now be between Mr Sumari and Mr Sarakikya.
The latter came second in the nomination poll.Mr Nnauye said once the primaries are repeated on Thursday, the constituency’s political affairs committee will meet on Friday morning and examine the votes.”They will assess the whole exercise in the evening and announce the results on Saturday,” he said.
He rejected claims on doubtful citizenship of one of the contestants as a reason for the re-run.There are rumours that Mr Sioi Sumari, who is battling to replace his father, the late Jeremiah Sumari, was born in neighbouring Kenya.But Mr Nnauye said there was no evidence to suggest that Mr Sumari is not a Tanzanian citizen.
He insisted that the nomination exercise must be repeated if none of the candidates scooped 50 per cent vote.He made a reference to Mr Benjamin Mkapa, Mr Jakaya Kikwete and Mr Cleopa Msuya who sought the party’s presidential nomination in 1995, saying there was a repeat for Mr Mkapa and Mr Kikwete after they failed to secure 50 per cent of votes in the first round.
In the last nomination exercise, Mr Sumari scooped 361 votes, followed by Sarakikya who bagged 259. Elishilia Kaaya had 176, Anthony Musami (22), Elirehema Kaaya (205) and Urio Rishiankira (11).
By ORTON KIISHWEKO, Tanzania Daily News
