The Tanzania Olympic Committee (TOC) has officially opened the doors for candidates to begin their campaigns ahead of the main elections scheduled for April 12, 2026, at the National Museum Hall in Dar es Salaam.
The campaigns began today, April 7, and are set to conclude on April 11, one day before the elections.
Speaking during the announcement of the final list of approved candidates, TOC Election Committee Chairman, Lawyer Ibrahim Mkwawa, confirmed that all candidates who submitted their nominations were approved following a thorough verification process.
He noted that the Appeals Committee received two complaints regarding the presidential and vice-presidential positions, but both were dismissed at no cost.
“After completing the entire verification process, candidates are now allowed to campaign until April 11. We emphasize strict adherence to electoral ethics, and any candidate found engaging in bribery or misconduct will be disqualified,” Mkwawa stated.
TOC Secretary-General, Filbert Bayi, said the general election meeting is expected to be attended by Donald Rukare from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Registrar of Sports Associations for mainland Tanzania, a representative from Zanzibar, and executive secretaries of sports councils from both sides of the Union.
Bayi added that a total of 41 voters are expected to participate, including 39 legitimate TOC members and three representatives from the Athletes’ Commission.
“We are still receiving confirmations from participants, and by Thursday, we will have the full number of voters for the general meeting,” Bayi said.
In the presidential race, the approved candidates are Henry Benny Tandau and Leonard Thadeo Katunzi, with Hassan Khairalla Tawakal representing Zanzibar. For the vice-presidential position, Nasra Juma Mohamed is the sole approved candidate.
Approved candidates for the mainland Tanzania TOC board include Muharam Salum Mchume, Noolerain Gulam Hussein Shariff, Dr. Devota John Marwa, Amina Mohamed Mfaume, Khalid Yahya Rushaka, Suma Stephen Mwaikenda, Noel Kiunsi, Abdulkher Mohamed Ahmed, Jonathan Mushumbusi Kassano, Innocent John Mallya, Andrew Godfrey Kapeleka, and Eliasa Abdallah Mkongo.
From Zanzibar, approved candidates are Faida Salmin Juma, Makame Ali Machano, Thuwaiba Aboud Muhiddin, Mwatima Bakari Abdi, Suleiman Ame Khamis, Abdul Rahman Said Simai, Said Mohamed Abdulla, and Juma Khamis Zaidy.
