Joseph Isangura
The Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has triumphed with a sweeping majority in Tanzania’s 2024 local government elections, securing 99.01% of the village chairperson positions.
Mohamed Mchengerwa, Minister of State in the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government, announced these results on November 28, highlighting CCM’s dominance across 12,271 contested seats.
Out of the 12,280 available positions, CCM won 12,150, leaving opposition parties with minimal representation. Chadema, the primary opposition, claimed 97 seats (0.79%), ACT-Wazalendo won 11 (0.09%), and CUF secured 10 (0.08%). Smaller parties like NCCR Mageuzi, UMD, and ADC each won one seat. This outcome underscores CCM’s sustained political influence, although it has sparked concerns about the health of multiparty democracy in Tanzania.
Observers noted the election’s low voter turnout and alleged irregularities during the campaign period. Reports of police interference, arrests of opposition leaders, and restrictions on public rallies marred the lead-up to the polls. Opposition parties, including Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo, criticized the oversight by the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government, calling for an independent electoral commission to ensure fairness.
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CCM’s comprehensive victory also raises questions about the future of Tanzania’s political landscape. Opposition parties have struggled with financial constraints, limited outreach, and fragmented strategies. Analysts point out that such an overwhelming win by the ruling party may weaken democratic accountability if alternative voices remain underrepresented
This landslide victory consolidates CCM’s control at the grassroots level, a crucial aspect of governance affecting everyday issues like infrastructure, local security, and economic empowerment. However, it also reignites debates about electoral reforms and the inclusiveness of Tanzania’s political system ahead of the 2025 general elections.
