Tanzania adds 8 new constituencies ahead of August polls
INEC Chairperson Jacobs Mwambegele said the decision followed a nationwide consultation.
Tanzania's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the creation of eight new constituencies and five new wards, increasing the total number of constituencies in the country to 272, as the nation prepares for general elections in August.
INEC Chairperson Jacobs Mwambegele said the decision followed a nationwide consultation held from February 26 to March 2 this year.
During the exercise, the commission reviewed 34 submissions that called for the division and renaming of constituencies across the country.
"After receiving the requests, the commission conducted visits and held meetings with stakeholders in several of the constituencies proposed for division or name changes to verify the accuracy of the information submitted," said Mwambegele.
According to INEC, the review process was based on key criteria, including the current number of parliamentary seats, women’s special representation, and the requirement that each constituency must fall within a single local government area.
Among the new constituencies are Kivule and Chamazi, which were carved out from Ukonga and Mbagala in Dar es Salaam.
In the Dodoma region, Dodoma Urban was split to create Mtumba, while Mbeya Urban was divided to form Uyole in the Mbeya region.
Bariadi in the Simiyu region was split to establish Bariadi Urban.
In Geita, Busanda was divided to create Katoro, while Chato was split into Chato South. Solwa in the Shinyanga region was restructured to form Itwangi.
Twelve existing constituencies have also been renamed.
These include Chato in Geita, now called Chato North; Nkenge in Kagera changed to Missenyi; Mpanda Rural in Katavi renamed Tanganyika; Buyungu in Kigoma now Kakongo; and Bariadi in Simiyu renamed Bariadi Rural.
In the Singida region, five constituencies were renamed: Manyoni East to Manyoni, Singida North to Ilongero, Manyoni West to Itigi, Singida East to Ikungi East, and Singida West to Ikungi West.
Other changes include Tabora North becoming Uyui and Handeni Rural in Tanga renamed Handeni.
Additionally, Tanzania’s Minister for Regional Administration and Local Government has created five new wards.
These are Ngerenyani and Sinonik in Longido (Arusha region), and Mupi, Bwawani Urban, and Shera in Rufiji (Coast region).
