Dodoma. A total of 213,024 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in the Chamwino parliamentary by-election and council by-elections in 11 wards across mainland Tanzania.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman Judge Jacobs Mwambegele said 133,864 voters were registered in Chamwino Constituency, while another 79,160 were eligible to vote in the 11 wards.
He said 665 polling stations had been prepared for the elections, including 441 in Chamwino and 224 across the 11 wards.
The by-elections, scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2026, will fill vacant parliamentary and councillor positions, with 67 candidates from 17 political parties contesting the available seats.
Presenting a statement on preparations for the elections, Judge Mwambegele said 16 candidates, comprising eight men and eight women, were contesting the Chamwino parliamentary seat.
‘In the 11 wards, 51 candidates are seeking councillor positions. Of these, 43 are men, accounting for 84.31 percent, while eight are women, representing 15.69 percent,’ he said.
He named the wards holding by-elections as Nonde in Mbeya City Council, Lugenge in Njombe Town Council, Bargish in Mbulu Town Council, Makole in Muheza District Council and Mwera in Pangani District Council.
According to him, other wards are 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 commission has concluded all the necessary preparations to enable political parties’ agents to monitor the electoral process at polling stations and counting and tallying centres,’ he said.
He urged political parties to deploy agents at all polling stations to strengthen oversight and ensure transparency throughout the exercise.
The INEC chairman also reminded political parties, candidates, agents and voters to comply with electoral laws and follow established procedures.
He said only people registered in the Permanent Voters’ Register would be allowed to vote, urging them to report to their designated polling stations with their voter identification cards.
‘Polling stations will open at 7 am and close at 4 pm. However, those still in queues at closing time will be allowed to vote,’ he said.
Judge Mwambegele said security personnel would stand behind the last person in the queue at 4 pm to ensure everyone already waiting had an opportunity to vote.
He insisted that those arriving after the official closing time would not be allowed to cast their ballots.
Furthermore, the INEC chairman said voters with special needs would be permitted to attend polling stations with assistants to facilitate their participation.
‘After voting, citizens would be required to leave polling station premises and follow instructions from election officials,’ he stressed.