THE upcoming local government elections need to bring about reputable and qualified candidates who are trusted to manage local affairs, the ruling party has declared.

Amos Makala, the head of Ideology, Publicity and Training in the secretariat, made this remark when receiving the Dar es Salaam city local government voter registration report presented by party leaders in the city yesterday.

He said that the party has arrived at a critical juncture where it is vital to uphold honesty and transparency, looking ahead to the polls, noting that when the opportunity presents itself, the right candidates will be selected.

“We will carefully select qualified candidates who are not only capable but also respected within the community to take on the responsibility of managing various activities. This process will ensure that we have trustworthy individuals leading efforts that benefit everyone involved,” he stated.

CCM will conduct a campaign in line with the president’s 4Rs philosophy when the time comes as it is one of its tools in implementing its election manifesto, he said, noting that reconciliation, resilience, reform and rebuild are basic elements of governance at the moment.

“I am quite sure there will be those who will say we have succeeded in organizing demonstrations and a campaign for a new constitution, but let me tell you, the citizens will decide who to choose,” he remarked.

He emphasised that the polls will be free and fair, respecting any results that would come out as to the winner and he or she will be announced “and the loser will accept the results.”

Up to 96.7 percent of local government voter registration in Dar es Salaam was elicited on evident acceptance of the CCM government and implementation of its manifesto, he suggested.

"We have witnessed the drive of various leaders who encouraged people to register in the voters' roll, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan as well as regional and district leaders. This was the motivation for people to register, stimulating a large turnout of individuals registering in Dar es Salaam Region,” he elaborated.

Elias Mpanda, the regional party secretary, said the report showed that a total of 3,480,630 individuals registered, with Ilala District taking the lead with 1,440,300 registered voters.

Over 31 million eligible people representing 94.83 per cent of total eligible citizens have registered on the voter roll for the upcoming polls, set for November 27.

Mohamed Mchengerwa, the Regional Administration and Local Governments state minister in the President’s Office (PO-RALG) said that this turnout to register marks a significant increase compared to the 2019 polls.

At that time 19,681,256 voters were registered countrywide, being 86 per cent of the targeted 22,916,412 voters, while this year’s record followed a 10-day registration exercise launched by President Samia on October 11, he added.