ACT-Wazalendo elects new leadership

Dar es Salaam. The opposition, ACT-Wazalendo, concluded its election process on March 6, which enabled it to get a list of new leadership that will lead the party until 2029.

The newly appointed party leaders are anticipated to spearhead the party's efforts in the upcoming civil polls this year, as well as the General Election in 2025, which encompasses the election of councillors, legislators, as well as the Union and Zanzibar presidents.

The new party leaders are expected to lead the party in this year’s civil polls as well as the General Election 2025, which is responsible for the election of councillors, legislators, and the union and Zanzibar presidents.

The line-up was finalised yesterday during the fourth party’s congress, as Ms Dorothy Semu was picked as the new Party Leader (PL), succeeding Mr Zitto Kabwe, whose term of office has expired.

During the election, Ms Semu garnered 354 votes, which is equivalent to 65.7 percent of all cast votes, defeating her opponent, Mr Mbarala Maharagande, who collected 184 votes, equal to 34.3 percent.

Announcing election results yesterday at the Las Vegas Ground in Mabibo, the party’s special election committee chairman, Joran Bashange, said a total of 538 votes were cast during the second day of the general congress held at the Mlimani City Conference Hall.

He explained that out of the 538 delegates who cast their votes, two were spoiled, leaving 536 valid votes.

The First Vice President of Zanzibar, Mr Othman Masoud Othman, collected 99.6 percent of the votes to become the new chairman of ACT-Wazalendo.

Mr Othman, who is a lawyer by profession, was the sole candidate for the position after his opponent, Mr Juma Duni Haji, who was defending his position, opted to withdraw from the process one day before the debate scheduled between them.

Mr Bashange said the position of vice chairman for Zanzibar was scooped by Mr Ismail Jussa Ladhu, who emerged victorious after getting 480 votes, equal to 94.2 percent.

Mr Jussa was the sole candidate after his opponent, Mr Hijja Hassan Hijja, withdrew from election participation.

Regarding the vice chairman (Mainland), Mr Bashange said there were 538 delegates in attendance, with 517 valid votes and 21 spoiled votes, making it 99.09 percent valid votes for the position won by Mr Isihaka Mchinjita.

The announcement was made at the grounds after party members held a six-kilometre-long procession passing through various areas, including Ubungo, Urafiki, and Mfugale Bridge, causing some road users to wait temporarily to allow the procession to pass.i