Mbeto: ACT-Wazalendo should not interfere with ZEC’s operations

Zanzibar. As the voter registration process concludes in Zanzibar, the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has raised concerns over ACT-Wazalendo's interference in the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC)’s work, particularly following an announcement of voter registration statistics by ACT’s Deputy Secretary-General, Omar Ali Shehe.

CCM has strongly condemned Shehe’s announcement, which they describe as a deliberate attempt to create confusion and sow fear among the public.

Secretary of the Special Committee of NEC Zanzibar, Department of Ideology, Propaganda, and Training,  Khamisi Mbeto Khamis, has accused Shehe of overstepping his bounds and causing unnecessary disruptions.

Mbeto stated that announcing voter registration figures, without any official statement from ZEC and with Shehe not being a ZEC official, signals that ACT-Wazalendo is intentionally stirring up unrest.

He further emphasized that Zanzibar’s citizens do not want to be caught up in unnecessary confusion and tensions as the October elections approach.

“Omar Ali Shehe is misusing the political freedoms and democracy we have in Zanzibar. He is creating an atmosphere of chaos. ZEC must take swift action as stipulated by the Election Law No. 4 of 2018, Section 128(b),” Mbeto said.

The law prohibits any individual from interfering with the work and authority of the Commission by providing or directing the release of information related to the Commission’s jurisdiction.

Mbeto questioned where Shehe got the authority to act on behalf of ZEC and urged him to focus on his political duties within ACT-Wazalendo, as ZEC remains an independent body.

“Where does Omar Shehe derive the authority to meddle with ZEC’s operations? He should refrain from causing unnecessary confusion. ZEC is an independent institution, and Shehe’s actions are undermining that,” Mbeto added.

The law stipulates penalties for those found guilty of such interference, including fines of up to Sh5 million or imprisonment of up to one year, or both.

“We urge the Zanzibar Election Commission to uphold the law. Turning a blind eye to these violations would set a dangerous precedent,” Mbeto stressed.

He further criticised Shehe for his reckless actions, accusing him of seeking to provoke chaos within the political landscape.

“We have built a democratic nation founded on justice, dignity, and the rule of law. The Commission must act against these illegal actions to ensure they do not recur,” Mbeto concluded.

Mbeto also pointed out that the voter registration figures announced by Shehe—99,723 registered voters, with 26,515 in Pemba and 73,212 in Unguja—are ACT-Wazalendo’s numbers, as ZEC has yet to make any official announcement.

During the registration process, CCM officials visited all registration stations in both Unguja and Pemba, many of which had no ACT agents present.

“It is strange for Omar Shehe to be quoting speculative and unverified figures,” Mbeto remarked.

Additionally, Mbeto noted that ACT-Wazalendo had no agents at several key registration points, including Zingwezingwe, Kiongwe Kidogo, Kijibwe Mtu, and Donge Vijibweni, and in the first phase of registration, nearly 56 stations, including in the Mitiulaya ward, lacked ACT agents.