INEC upholds nomination of Bulaya, Matiko for 2025 polls

Of these, 20 appeals related to parliamentary nominations, while 31 concerned councilorship seats.

Thirteen appeals were resolved during the Commission’s sitting on August 31, 2025, with the outcomes made public the same day.

However, in a subsequent sitting from September 1 to 3, 2025, the Commission determined the remaining 38 appeals, noting that parliamentary contests, it upheld four, dismissed seven, and struck out one.

A public notice signed by INEC Director of Elections, Ramadhan Kailima, issued on September 3, 2025, says among those cleared were CCM candidate for Bunda Urban, Ms Bulaya, and her Tarime Urban counterpart, Ms Matiko, both faced challenges from ACT–Wazalendo rivals.

In Bunda Urban, Pius Ismail Masuruli contested Ms Bulaya’s nomination, while in Tarime Urban, Kangoye Jackson Ryoba opposed Ms Matiko’s candidacy, appeals that were both dismissed as lacking merit.

“For respondents (v) to (vii), Ester Ernest Bulaya (Bunda Urban), Esther Matiko Nicholas (Tarime Urban), and Rosemary Kasimbi Kirigini (Meatu), the Commission upheld the respective election supervisors’ decisions confirming their nominations. Consequently, they will proceed with parliamentary campaign activities,” reads part of INEC’s public notice.

The notice also confirmed the reinstatement of three opposition aspirants whose disqualifications were overturned: Mvungi Lucas Felix (NCCR–Mageuzi, Mwanga), Anaeli Roiya Nasari (ACT–Wazalendo, Arumeru East), and Ngwada Mubarak Twaha (Chaumma, Mafinga Urban).

However, the Commission nullified Mr Ryoba’s candidacy in Tarime Urban, striking him from the race.

Dismissed parliamentary appeals

Seven dismissed parliamentary appeals included: Gimbi Dotto Masaba (Chaumma, Itilima) v Njalu Daudi Silanga (CCM); Omary Ahmad Badwel (Chaumma, Bahi) v Keneth Ernest Nollo (CCM); Mohamed Juma Haji (AAFP, Chambani) v Chambani returning officer; and Loyce Benjamin Giboma (Chaumma, Ubungo) v Ubungo returning officer.

Others were: Pius Ismail Masuruli (ACT–Wazalendo, Bunda Urban) v Ester Ernest Bulaya (CCM); Kangoye Jackson Ryoba (ACT–Wazalendo, Tarime Urban) v Matiko Esther Nicholas (CCM); and Salum Khamis Salum (CCM, Meatu) v Rosemary Kasimbi Kirigini (ACT–Wazalendo).

Upheld councilorship appeals

Nine councilorship appeals were upheld, including: Abdurahamani Mohamedi Matulano (ACT–Wazalendo, Mijelejele, Lulindi Constituency) v Juma Ramadhani Polle (CCM), Anafi Salumu Nandala (ACT–Wazalendo, Ndomoni, Nachingwea) v Raymondi Erasto Vitusi (CCM), Charles Bakari Hokororo (ACT–Wazalendo, Namwanga, Lulindi) v Yusuph Bushiri Mlaponi (CCM), Lulu Omari Bakari (NCCR–Mageuzi, Rahaleo, Lindi Urban) v John Stephen Mmuni (CCM).

Mackrina Chales Nyoni (ACT–Wazalendo, Mkongo, Namtumbo) v Daniel Magnus Nyambo (CCM), Mabula Ng’welemi Bugali (CUF, Sagata, Itilima) v Itilima returning officer, Richard Africa Mwangomale (Chaumma, Lufilyo, Busokelo) v Emanuel Seth Mwakajegela (CCM), William Daniel Baliyakula (ACT–Wazalendo, Buseresere, Chato South) v Mange Khamis Samwel (CCM), and Saidi Hamisi Mikunya (CUF, Njinjo, Kilwa North) v Juma Ahmadi (CCM).

“These candidates have been reinstated and will continue with their campaigns in their respective wards,” INEC stated.

Dismissed councilorship appeals

Seventeen councilorship appeals were dismissed, involving candidates from Chaumma, CUF, ACT–Wazalendo, CCM, and others across constituencies in Pangani, Kilwa North, Kibaha Urban, Chemba, Ushetu, Bukoba Rural, Kisarawe, Ilemela, Kyela, Mbarali, Kongwa, Makambako, Tarime Rural, and Kivule.

They included: Rafii Kibwana Kombo (Chaumma, Pangani East) v Pangani East assistant returning officer; Chambale Ally Ally (CUF, Namayuni, Kilwa North) v Omary Ally Kipengele (ACT–Wazalendo); and Abasi Kambi Legeza (ACT–Wazalendo, Visiga, Kibaha Urban) v Mohamedi Saidi Mpaki (CCM).

Others were: Saini Joseph Peter (ACT–Wazalendo, Gwandi, Chemba) v Dossa Ally Hassan (CCM); Farida Mohamedi Kikoleka (CCM, Miguruwe, Kilwa North) v Halidi Mohamedi Kilete (CUF); Aron Machali Kulwa (ACT–Wazalendo, Bulungwa, Ushetu) v Kalwani Mteganoni Baluhya (CCM); Philbert Rugambwa Ngemera (CUF, Kanyangereko, Bukoba Rural) v Hamimu Hassani Byeyombo (CCM); and Sophia Ally Magimba (ACT–Wazalendo, Mzenga, Kisarawe) v Mohammed Boniface Rubondo (CCM).

Also dismissed were cases by Revocatus Christian Lukonge (CCM, Kitangiri, Ilemela), Thobias Joseph Mwamkonda (CCM, Itope, Kyela), Gunewe Godwin Marcel (CCM, Kiseke, Ilemela), Hawa Miraji Kihwele (CCM, Igurusi, Mbarali), Majanjara Phares David (ACT–Wazalendo, Songambele, Kongwa), Leah Meshack Masasi (Chaumma, Majengo, Makambako), Moses Marwa Mwera (ACT–Wazalendo, Muriba, Tarime Rural), Zephania Godeni Chibaya (Chaumma, Songambele, Kongwa) and Nandonde Rashid Abdallah (CUF, Mzinga, Kivule).

For appellants (i) to (iv), the Commission upheld the decisions of assistant returning officers to disqualify them.

For respondents (v) to (xvii)—including Halidi Mohamedi Kilete (Miguruwe), Kalwani Mteganoni Baluhya (Bulungwa), Hamimu Hassani Byeyombo (Kanyangereko), Mohammed Boniface Rubondo (Mzenga), Emily Edwin Mwasongwe (Itope), Mwevi Ramadhani Mwevi (Kiseke), Mussa Yusuph Ngupapa (Igurusi), Sadock Kajungu Peter (Songambele), Rosemary Lameck Lwiva (Majengo), Tumaini Mwita Chacha (Muriba), and Job Isaack Ibrahim (Mzinga)—the Commission confirmed their nominations, allowing them to continue with councilorship campaigns.

Tanzania is set to hold general elections on 29 October 2025 to elect the Union President, Zanzibar President, parliamentarians, representatives, and councillors who will serve for the next five years.

Campaigns, supervised by INEC, began on 28 August 2025 and will continue for 60 days, concluding on the eve of the election, 28 October 2025.

The Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) has announced that candidate nominations will take place on 10 September 2025, with election campaigns expected to start the following day.

Under election laws, election officials will cast primary votes on 28 October 2025, while the general electorate will vote on 29 October 2025.