CCM picks President John Magufuli to become the 5th chairman of the party.

Yesterday, the party's chairman and former president Jakaya Kikwete whose chairmanship ends today, chaired his last NEC meeting that saw Dr Magufuli receiving support from all members. CCM will get its new chairman after the party's National Congress convenes here today, the spokesperson of the party, Christopher Ole Sendeka, said at a press briefing yesterday.

In what appears to be yet another milestone in the circles of politics in the country, Tanzanians will be glued to their Television sets to witness the two leaders handing over leadership to each other. According to Mr Ole Sendeka, all local television stations and more than 50 radio stations had by yesterday confirmed to broadcast live the CCM National Congress.

As per the party's constitution, for a person to be confirmed by delegates of the national congress, he or she must garner more than half of the total vote casts. According to Mr Ole Sendeka, there was no doubt whatsoever, Dr Magufuli will get a landslide victory from the party members because of his flawless record in leadership.

According to him, after his name was endorsed by NEC members, Dr Magufuli was given time to thank the NEC members where he pledged to collaborate with every member in ensuring that the party remained strong. Usually, before voting for the new chairperson of the party, two influential people within the party ought to be given time to request for votes for the proposed name.

A person who is vying for that position is not supposed to request for votes due to the fact that he or she did not ask to be elected. It is only the party's Central Committee (CC) and later the National Executive Committee (NEC) that proposes the name of a person to be elected by delegates at the party's National Congress that meets today at the Dodoma Convention Centre.

As per the party's constitution, Mr Kikwete who is the current chairperson was supposed to continue with his leadership until 2017, but he decided to relinguish his position to allow Dr Magufuli to take over. President Magufuli will become the fifth chairperson of the party after Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Benjamini Mkapa and Mr Kikwete who is handing over the leadership to Dr Magufuli later today.