ACT Wazalendo: We are ready for the 60-day General Election campaign

Pemba. The presidential candidates for the United Republic of Tanzania and Zanzibar for the opposition ACT Wazalendo have concluded their introduction tour to the people of Zanzibar, declaring they are “ready” to embark on the 60-day campaign period aimed at securing victory in the upcoming October General Election.

According to the schedule issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the general election campaigns will run from August 28, 2025 to October 28, followed by polling the next day.

The party believes that the alliance between Luhaga Mpina (Tanzania presidential candidate) and Othman Masoud (Zanzibar presidential candidate) will fulfil the aspirations of Tanzanians and build a Zanzibar with full autonomy, as envisioned by former party chairman, the late Maalim Seif Sharif Hamad.

They made the remarks on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at the conclusion of their introduction tour in Pemba, after being endorsed by the party’s general assembly on 6, August 2025 in Dar es Salaam.

Mpina’s introduction began on Saturday, August 9, 2025 in Unguja, where they were received by a large crowd. As in Unguja, Pemba residents lined the roads from the airport to Tibirinzi, carrying placards with various messages.

Addressing the rally, Mpina said the nation still faces challenges such as the lack of a new constitution and unresolved Union issues, but ACT Wazalendo has strong candidates who are ready to resolve them.

“ACT Wazalendo has brought you energetic young leaders who are ready to solve the Union challenges, and we are fit to seek your votes from villages, hamlets, branches, wards, constituencies and regions,” Mpina declared.

“Sixty days of campaigning is a short time for us—we could campaign longer. If we remove CCM from power within those days, we will still have energy left,” he added.

Mpina, a former MP for Kisesa, vowed that ACT Wazalendo will oust CCM from power in October “without mercy,” insisting that electoral victory in Zanzibar will no longer be stolen.

“When the time comes, we will go to every corner of the country to tell the people that we were born for Tanzanians. We will not stand by while citizens suffer when we, the youth, are here,” Mpina said.

Meanwhile, ACT Wazalendo Chairman Othman Masoud said he understands the challenges faced by the people of Zanzibar, urging island residents to support them in October.

“I was raised in service to the people, learning from those who were in government, which is why I know the people’s challenges,” Othman said.

“I was brought up by people who understand Zanzibar, and I am now ready to serve the people of Pemba and Unguja. We are now preparing to enter the operating room—ready for the elections,” he added, using metaphors to criticise CCM.

Running mate Fatma Abdulhabib Ferej, a former minister in Zanzibar, praised Mpina as a politician who speaks the truth and stands by his principles. She urged Zanzibaris to ensure CCM is removed from constituencies to deny the ruling party representation in both the Zanzibar House of Representatives and the Union Parliament.