ACT Wazalendo withdraws from Kwahani constituency by-election

Unguja. The opposition party, Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT Wazalendo), has announced its decision to abstain from participating in the upcoming by-election for the Kwahani Constituency, scheduled for June 8, 2024, in a surprising turn of events.

The decision, disclosed by the party's Secretary of Information, Publicity, Communication, and Public Relations, Salim Bimani, on Thursday, May 16, 2024, was the outcome of deliberations held by the party’s top leadership during its meeting on May 15, 2024.

The committee cited Article 72A (2)(a) of the ACT Wazalendo Constitution of 2015, 2024 Edition, as the basis for its authority in reaching this conclusion.

The crux of the matter lies in the enactment of the New Electoral Commission Act of 2024, which prompted ACT Wazalendo to call for the resignation of the current Electoral Commission members.

The party asserts that the commission's legitimacy has been compromised, necessitating the appointment of new Commissioners and a fresh Secretariat for the Electoral Commission.

According to the Electoral Commission Act, the process of appointing Commission members mandates that Tanzanians undergo interviews and have their names submitted to the President for appointment.

However, ACT Wazalendo contends that the current Commissioners lack the legitimacy to oversee the upcoming by-election and subsequent electoral processes.

This decision by ACT Wazalendo introduces a significant dynamic into the political landscape, raising questions about the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.

With one of Tanzania's prominent political parties opting out of the by-election, the spotlight now shifts to the Electoral Commission and its response to the concerns raised by ACT Wazalendo.

As the nation braces for the Kwahani Constituency by-election, the absence of ACT Wazalendo from the ballot adds a layer of complexity to an already contentious electoral environment.