ACT Wazalendo to challenge registrar’s move to revoke Mpina’s presidential bid
ACT-Wazalendo presidential aspirant Luhaga Mpina speaks during his meeting with media editors at the party’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam on August 14, 2025. PHOTO | MICHAEL MATEMANGA
Dar es Salaam. Opposition party ACT Wazalendo has rejected a decision by the Registrar of Political Parties to revoke the candidacy of Luhaga Joelson Mpina as its presidential flagbearer, vowing to challenge the move in court.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 26, ACT Wazalendo Secretary General Ado Shaibu said the party would not comply with the Registrar’s directive, insisting that the electoral process was already underway and therefore beyond the Registrar’s jurisdiction.
“The Registrar of Political Parties has no authority to interfere in the election process once nomination forms have been issued and candidates are completing the required procedures, except through formal objections,” said Mr Shaibu.
According to the party, Mr Mpina—who is its nominee for the presidency of the United Republic of Tanzania—has already collected the nomination forms, filled them in, toured the country to gather sponsors, sworn the legal oath in court, and completed all procedures required for candidacy.
On Tuesday, August 26, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) verified Mr Mpina’s nomination forms. The party said it is scheduled to officially submit them to the commission’s headquarters on Wednesday August 27, at 1:00 p.m. for confirmation.
ACT Wazalendo further announced plans to file a case in the High Court to challenge the Registrar’s decision. The party will also seek an injunction to block implementation of the move until the matter is fully heard.
“This is a matter of principle. Our candidate has duly followed the law and completed all procedures. We will not allow this decision to undermine democracy,” Mr Shaibu added.
The Registrar’s office has not yet publicly explained the reasons behind revoking Mr Mpina’s candidacy. However, political analysts say the dispute could trigger a significant legal and political battle in the run-up to the October elections, testing both the limits of the Registrar’s powers and the independence of the electoral process.
Mr Mpina, a former Cabinet minister, was nominated as ACT Wazalendo’s Union presidential candidate earlier this month , whereas Othman Masoud Othman, the party’s national chairperson is set to run for presidency in Zanzibar.
The standoff now adds fresh uncertainty to the electoral landscape, with ACT Wazalendo positioning itself as a key challenger to the ruling CCM.
