Chama Cha Mapinduzi

The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM; English: Party of the Revolution) is the dominant ruling party in Tanzania and the longest reigning ruling party in Africa.It was formed in 1977 following the merger of Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) and Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP) which were the sole operating parties in Tanzania mainland and the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar respectively.

Since the restoration of multi-party system, CCM has continued to retain its popularity and the voter's confidence, having won all the past four general elections in 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010. Jakaya Kikwete, its presidential candidate in 2005 won by a landslide receiving more than 80% of the popular vote. In the last election, it won 186 of the 239 constituencies, achieving an outright majority in the National Assembly. The next election will be the most challenging the party has ever faced.