CCM Primaries for Peramiho By-Election Marred by Bribery and Fraud Allegations
Dar es Salaam – The ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has completed its primary elections for the Peramiho parliamentary by-election in Ruvuma Region, with the process overshadowed by serious allegations of bribery, vote manipulation, and procedural violations that have revealed significant divisions within the party.
Twenty-seven candidates competed for the party’s nomination ahead of the by-election scheduled for February 26, 2026. Among the aspirants was Victor Mhagama, son of the late Jenista Mhagama, the former Member of Parliament for Peramiho.
The by-election was necessitated following the death of Jenista Mhagama on December 11, 2025, at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma due to heart complications. She had served the constituency for nearly two decades since 2005.
Primary Results
CCM opinion polls held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, saw Victor Mhagama emerge victorious against 26 competitors, including senior party officials, former parliamentarians, and retired civil servants.
Official results showed Mhagama secured 3,040 votes out of 8,577 valid votes cast from a total of 9,167 ballots, with 590 rejected. His closest challenger, Getrude Haule, received 2,913 votes, while Dr. Joseph Mhagama obtained 943 votes. Other candidates included Frank Matola (215 votes), Dr. Lazaro Kiomba (213 votes), Dr. Damas Mapunda (200 votes), and Isabellah Mwampamba (131 votes).
Fraud Allegations Surface
Shortly after the results announcement, serious allegations of bribery, vote manipulation, and irregularities emerged. Reports indicate that the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) has become involved, questioning several district-level CCM leaders.
Following the announcement by Songea Rural District CCM election supervisor Juma Nambaila on Wednesday night, heated disputes erupted among party members, with many questioning the credibility of the results and alleging the use of fraudulent ballots.
Multiple party members claimed the process was neither free nor fair, alleging that vote tallies from certain wards were altered. They have called for thorough investigations into the alleged irregularities.
Officials Respond
Nambaila dismissed the allegations, stating that only officially announced results are valid. He urged anyone with evidence to present it formally and called on party members to remain calm while district and regional organs submit their reports to the CCM Central Committee for final determination.
Ruvuma Regional PCCB Commander Hamza Mwenda acknowledged that complaints are expected in contests with numerous aspirants. He confirmed the bureau has conducted interviews with several individuals to establish facts, but denied social media claims that arrests have been made.
Mwenda clarified that Victor Mhagama was invited for discussions regarding complaints and subsequently left, while also denying reports that Songea Rural CCM chairperson Thomas Msolwa had been arrested, describing such claims as misinformation.
Electoral Commission Issues Call
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has invited institutions and civil society organizations to apply for roles in providing voter education during the Peramiho parliamentary by-election and the Shiwinga ward councillorship by-election in Mbozi.
Director of Elections Ramadhan Kailima announced that applications opened on January 20 and will close on January 29, 2026. Applicants must be legally registered, have operated in Tanzania for at least six months, have no history of incitement or peace disruption, and demonstrate voter education experience.
INEC has also invited domestic election observers to submit applications between January 20 and January 26, 2026.
The final decision on the CCM candidate will be made following deliberations at district, regional, and national party levels.
