ACT-Wazalendo to contest 2025 elections, pledges reforms push

Unguja. The national chairperson of ACT-Wazalendo, Mr Othman Masoud has firmly stated that the party will not boycott the 2025 General Election.

He emphasised that, despite what he described as systematic efforts to discourage their participation, the party aims to engage in the electoral process.

During a public rally in Mpendae Constituency in the Urban West Region on June 1, Mr Masoud declared that ACT-Wazalendo would not withdraw from the race.

Instead, he vowed to advocate for electoral and governance reforms ahead of the upcoming polls.

“We are going into the election regardless of the situation, but we will ensure we push for systems reform before then,” he stated. Mr Masoud also serves as the First Vice President of Zanzibar.

He expressed the party’s commitment to systemic change and accountability, noting that the rich resources of Zanzibar should be used to benefit the people rather than private interests.

“We have suffered greatly 21 of our people lost their lives, 18 widows were left behind, over 48 individuals became disabled, and more than 1,000 others were injured in previous elections. But that will not stop us,” he remarked.

According to Mr Masoud, the youth in Zanzibar continue to face economic hardships despite the country’s development history and natural endowments.

He criticised the government for leasing important institutions to foreign investors under the pretence of investment instead of empowering local youth.

Mr Masoud urged citizens to turn out in large numbers for the October elections and to vote for leaders who genuinely care about their well-being. ACT-Wazalendo’s vice chairperson for Zanzibar, Mr Ismail Jussa, highlighted the limited time left before the general election, stating that the party would do everything within its power to defend the rights of Zanzibaris.

“If entrusted with power, we will revisit and repeal all contracts signed by the current administration that do not serve the country’s best interests,” Mr Jussa warned.

He noted that many of these agreements lack transparency and do not benefit the public. “There are enough financial resources to develop Zanzibar, but the governance systems are flawed.”

The party’s deputy secretary general for Zanzibar, Mr. Omar Ali Shehe, called on the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) to ensure equal rights in the voter registration process, describing it as the crucial starting point for credible elections.

He criticised ZEC for raising the objection fee for voters deemed ineligible to be listed in the permanent register from Sh5,000 to Sh50,000, arguing that this increase aims to deter legitimate challenges.

In response, ZEC director Thabit Idarous Faina previously defended the fee hike, suggesting it was intended to prevent a wave of insubstantial objections.