Two-day voting in Zanzibar is a legal issue, says CCM’s Dimwa

Unguja. The ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), in Zanzibar has confirmed that the two-day polling will continue as it did in the 2020 elections, as this practice was approved by the House of Representatives.

Speaking in Micheweni, Pemba, CCM’s Deputy Secretary General- Zanzibar, Mohammed Said Mohammed alias known as Dimwa emphasized that any changes to this law would need to go through the legislature and receive approval from the House.

Dimwa explained that after a task force was established, it returned to the president with concerns that some key issues had not been addressed.

“The president accepted these concerns and subsequently formed a reconciliation commission for Zanzibar, which included 12 members with equal representation from both sides,” he said.

One of the key issues discussed and agreed upon was the early voting arrangement. However, according to Dimwa, after the Electoral Commission was established, ACT-Wazalendo did not return to the commission.

“We only heard about their objections to early voting through their rallies. Where is this claim coming from?” questioned Dimwa.

He noted that early voting is not unique to Zanzibar and is practiced in many other countries, including South Africa, Mauritius, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Indonesia.

“In Zanzibar, the early voting procedure is governed by Act No. 4 of 2018, with Section 82 specifying those entitled to vote early,” he said.

Read: Security personnel in Zanzibar to vote a day earlier

Dimwa added that they plan to expand the early voting provisions to include the elderly, pregnant women, the disabled, and the sick.

“Even if we were to eliminate early voting, CCM would still win the 2025 election decisively,” Dimwa stated.

He urged residents to disregard inflammatory statements from some opposition party leaders, who, according to him, are distorting and belittling the government to gain sympathy from voters who have been disappointed by unfulfilled promises.

At the same meeting, more than 150 members reportedly from ACT-Wazalendo and CUF joined CCM.

Dimwa’s comments come amid strong opposition from ACT-Wazalendo, which has declared its opposition to the two-day voting process and is advocating for a single-day voting system in the upcoming 2025 elections. During a recent rally in Malindi, retired party leader Zitto Kabwe warned that extending voting to two days could lead to electoral malpractice and theft.

“We cannot afford a repeat of past injustices, especially what occurred in 2020. Two-day elections are a gateway for electoral theft, and that’s exactly what your leaders have been doing,” Kabwe asserted to the enthusiastic crowd.

He reassured the public of ACT-Wazalendo’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and honoring the sacrifices made for democracy in Zanzibar.

“We must move forward, not backward. Our solemn duty is to ensure that the 2025 elections are transparent and fair,” Kabwe declared.