The dispute stems from an August 26 letter from INEC, citing a communication from the Registrar of Political Parties revoking Mr Mpina’s endorsement as ACT Wazalendo’s presidential flagbearer. On this basis, the Commission instructed that Mr Mpina should not proceed with the submission of his nomination papers
Dar es Salaam. ACT Wazalendo has lodged a protest with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its directive barring the party’s presidential candidate, Mr Luhaga Joelson Mpina, from returning nomination forms.
In a strongly worded letter dated August 27, 2025 and signed by Secretary General Ado Shaibu, the party described the Commission’s move as “shameful” and a violation of the Constitution, electoral laws and regulations.
The dispute stems from an August 26 letter from INEC, citing a communication from the Registrar of Political Parties revoking Mr Mpina’s endorsement as ACT Wazalendo’s presidential flagbearer. On this basis, the Commission instructed that Mr Mpina should not proceed with the submission of his nomination papers.
ACT Wazalendo has rejected the directive, arguing that the Commission has no legal grounds to block a candidate from returning forms once they have been collected, completed, verified, and scheduled for submission.
“It is disgraceful for the Commission to act merely on a copy of a letter from the Registrar,” the party wrote. “This amounts to taking orders from a government office, contrary to the Constitution, which guarantees the independence of the Commission.”
The party further reminded INEC that Mr Mpina legally obtained his forms on August 15, 2025, after the Commission received official notification from ACT Wazalendo, in line with Section 34 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Councillors Elections Act, 2024.
According to the party, the only lawful way to challenge a candidate’s eligibility is through the formal objection process provided under Sections 36 and 37 of the Act and Regulation 22 of the 2025 Regulations. It added that the Registrar should raise any objections during the nomination session, where both sides would be heard before a ruling is made.
“The Commission has misdirected itself legally, constitutionally and procedurally,” Mr Shaibu wrote, warning that upholding the decision would reinforce perceptions that the body lacks independence and the capacity to uphold the law.
The party cautioned that the move set a “dangerous precedent” under which government authorities could in future order the Commission to bar candidates.
ACT Wazalendo has demanded that the Commission withdraw its letter and allow Mr Mpina to submit his forms as scheduled.
