Tanzania’s Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled a parliamentary by-election in Chamwino alongside 11 councillor polls across Mainland Tanzania for November 4, 2026. The parliamentary vacancy follows the appointment of former MP Deogratius John Ndejembi as Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Chamwino Parliamentary Vacancy and the Transition to the Vice Presidency
The upcoming electoral contest in Chamwino Constituency, Dodoma Region, was triggered by a government transition earlier in the third quarter. President Samia Suluhu Hassan nominated then-Member of Parliament Deogratius John Ndejembi for the nation’s second-highest office on August 26, 2026. Parliament confirmed the appointment just two days later on August 28, elevating him to Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania and leaving his constituency seat vacant.
Following the constitutional shift, the Speaker of the National Assembly formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission about the empty parliamentary mandate in Chamwino District. Concurrently, the minister responsible for local government alerted the electoral authority to 11 vacant councillor positions spread across various councils in Mainland Tanzania. According to election officials, eight of those local government seats opened up due to the deaths of incumbent office holders, while three others resulted from resignations.
Ramadhani Kailima, the INEC Director of Elections, announced in a September 25 release that these votes will take place to supply new leadership for the impacted wards and constituencies. The minister in charge of local government also notified the Commission about 11 open councillor seats in Mainland Tanzania. The electoral board reported that councillor deaths at various points accounted for eight of the openings, with resignations triggering the remaining three.
Local Government Vacancies Across Mainland Tanzania Wards
While the parliamentary race in Dodoma Region anchors the national spotlight, voters in 11 specific wards will simultaneously return to the polls to restore local representation.
- 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
- Ilolangulu in Mbogwe District Council
Official Election Calendar and Candidate Nomination Timeline
Director of Elections Ramadhani Kailima released the official operational schedule, setting a window for political parties and aspirants to organize their campaigns. Nomination forms for both parliamentary and councillor hopefuls become available starting October 7, running through October 13, 2026. The official candidate nomination exercise takes place on October 13.
Campaign activities officially launch on October 14 and will proceed until November 3, concluding precisely one day before the national vote. Voters will cast their ballots on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Ahead of these milestones, the electoral commission has urged all political parties, candidates, and election observers to strictly adhere to the Constitution, electoral laws, regulations, and code of ethics throughout the administrative cycle.
Throughout the electoral exercise, the electoral commission has called upon political groups, contestants, and all other participants to follow the Constitution, relevant laws, rules, ethical standards, operational procedures, instructions, and directives provided by INEC. As INEC initiates early preparations for the vote—such as setting up voter education initiatives and organizing election monitoring—the current announcement has been made public. On its official web portal, the Commission displays distinct September 25 bulletins that call upon civil society groups and election monitors to get involved in voter outreach concerning the Chamwino and 11 ward ballots. While the ward votes aim to bring back local governance to areas impacted by the stated openings, the Chamwino race will fill the legislative seat left empty when Ndejembi moved from representing his constituency to taking on the role of Vice President.