The new Representative for Kiembe-Samaki Constituency in West District, Mr Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, was sworn-in by the House Speaker Mr Pandu Ameir Kificho.
House Speaker Mr Pandu Ameir Kificho
“I’m honoured to begin serving the people. I made pledges to my constituency and I intend to implement my promises,” said Kombo amid applause from Reps including the only three members of the Civic United Front (CUF) who were in the House.
The absence of the majority of CUF legislators during the swearing-in ceremony sparked speculations that CUF had deliberately shunned the occasion to show dissatisfaction over the results. CCM won with 1,856 votes while CUF which alleges cheating got only 445 votes.
But, the CUF Chief Whip, Mr Abdalla Juma Abdalla, said: “We did not boycott the swearing-in ceremony because some of the CUF members were in the House. It was a coincident that many of members were late to enter into the House.”
Outside the House CCM members from Kiembe-Samaki escorted their new legislator to take oath, as they danced and celebrated last Sunday’s victory. The by-election was held after CCM expelled its former legislator Mr Mansour Yussuf Himid last August.
By ISSA YUSSUF, Tanzania Daily News
