CHAMA Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) on Saturday begins a series of meetings towards the party's 8th National Congress which culminates in the election of national leaders to serve in the next five years.

CCM National Chairman, President Jakaya Kikwete arrived in Dodoma on Friday to chair the meeting, starting with the Central Committee (CC) to be followed by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

According to the party's Ideology and Publicity Secretary, Nape Nnauye, Saturday's sessions would allow members to receive report on preparations for the meeting which would involve nomination of the national party leader, the deputies (Mainland and Zanzibar) among other candidates for different positions, before voting.

"The Congress will be held for three days under the motto, "Peace, Unity and Development. More than 2,000 delegates will be in attendance in addition to 700 invited guests. Inside the conference room there will be more than 3,000 people and more than 4,000 people will be following the session from outside the building.

Proceedings of the meeting will be aired live by Star TV and TBC," Nnauye explained. He said before official opening of the meeting at Kizota Conference Centre, President Kikwete is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for construction of the party's ultra-modern structure in Makulu area within Dodoma municipality, which will be furnished with conference and hotel rooms.

He said all preparations for the meeting have been completed and numerous guests have arrived in Dodoma for the three-day event. Commenting on the rumours that some of the party members were inclined to challenge the dual responsibility of the national party chairman who is also the country's president, Mr Nnauye said that was irrelevant and enemy of democracy. "The desire is immaterial and undoubtedly perpetrated by power mongers," he said.