The Chamwino by-elections, scheduled for November 4, 2026, will see 67 candidates from 17 political parties vying for parliamentary and council seats. A total of 213,024 registered voters are expected to participate in the elections. The by-elections will take place in the Chamwino constituency and 11 wards. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairperson, Jaji Jacobs C. M. Mwambegele, 133,864 voters are registered in the Chamwino constituency, while 79,160 are registered in the 11 wards.
The elections will be conducted at 665 polling stations, with 441 stations in the Chamwino constituency and 224 in the 11 wards. The wards conducting by-elections are Nonde in Mbeya City Council, Lugenge in Njombe Town Council, Bargish in Mbulu Town Council, Makole in Muheza District Council, Mwera in Pangani District Council, Oldonyosambu in Ngorongoro District Council, Igalula in Uyui District Council, Shelui in Iramba District Council, Mvumi in Kilosa District Council, Nyarero in Tarime District Council, and Ilolangulu in Mbogwe District Council.
The candidates are contesting for parliamentary and council seats, with 16 candidates vying for the Chamwino parliamentary seat and 51 candidates contesting for council seats in the 11 wards. In the Chamwino constituency, there are eight male and eight female candidates, while in the 11 wards, there are 43 male and eight female candidates. Jaji Mwambegele has reminded participating political parties to ensure they have agents at polling stations to represent and protect their interests.
Voters are required to have their voter cards and will be given priority based on their needs, with elderly, sick, pregnant women, and mothers with young children being attended to first. People with special needs are allowed to bring assistants to polling stations. Polling stations will open at 1:00 AM and close at 10:00 PM, but if voters are still in line when the station is set to close, the voting process will continue until all voters have cast their ballots.
The INEC chairperson has assured voters that the commission has taken into account directives from the 2025 general elections regarding challenges faced by voters. Voters without photos in the permanent voter register but with identification cards will be allowed to vote if their details match those in the register. Similarly, voters with identification cards bearing different voter numbers but matching names and other details will also be allowed to vote.
In cases where voters have lost or damaged their voter cards, they can use alternative identification documents such as national IDs, driving licenses, or passports to vote. However, voters with cards but whose details do not match those in the permanent voter register will not be allowed to vote. Jaji Mwambegele has urged stakeholders to adhere to the guidelines and encouraged voters to turn out in large numbers to participate in the by-elections.
The by-elections are being conducted in accordance with the Elections Act, Chapter 343. The successful candidates will fill the vacant parliamentary and council seats in the Chamwino constituency and 11 wards. The elections are expected to be a test of the electoral process in Tanzania, with stakeholders keenly observing the proceedings.
Key points
- A total of 67 candidates from 17 political parties are contesting in the Chamwino by-elections.
- The by-elections will take place at 665 polling stations in the Chamwino constituency and 11 wards.
- Voters with special needs will be given priority and allowed to bring assistants to polling stations.
