ZEC strikes off 3,352 ineligible voters in pre-election clean-up

Unguja. The Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) has removed 3,352 individuals from the Permanent Voter Register after determining they no longer meet eligibility criteria ahead of the 2025 General Election.

According to ZEC Director of Elections, Mr Thabit Idarous Faina, the move follows a verification exercise conducted during the ongoing voter registration process. Those disqualified include 1,344 women and 2,008 men.

“This decision is part of the commission’s efforts to maintain the integrity of the electoral roll and ensure that only eligible voters participate in the upcoming election,” Mr Faina said at a press briefing held on Friday, 4 July 2025.

ZEC launched the review in two phases—from 2 December 2023 to 15 January 2024, and from 1 February to 17 March 2024—registering 101,641 new voters in the process.

This exceeded the initial target of 78,922, which had been projected based on the 2022 Population and Housing Census.

Mr Faina explained that the voter removal exercise was conducted in line with Sections 19 and 31 of the Zanzibar Elections Act, 2018.

A provisional list of ineligible voters was published in May to allow time for objections before final decisions were made.

Regional breakdown

The Urban West (Mjini Magharibi) Region recorded the highest number of disqualified voters, with 993 names struck off.

This was followed by South Unguja (795), North Unguja (628), North Pemba (564), and South Pemba (372).

Mr Faina emphasised that the register continues to be updated, including corrections, transfers, and the removal of names of deceased voters or those who no longer meet the legal voting criteria.

Public reaction and operational hiccups

Although ZEC has reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent and credible electoral process, the disqualification of some individuals has drawn concern.

Ms Johari Hassan, who was removed due to irregularities in her identification documents, expressed frustration at being barred from voting.

“I don’t know what the exact issue is, but I’ve been removed from the register. It’s painful knowing I won’t be able to vote,” she said.

The voter registration process also encountered technical challenges, notably with fingerprint recognition devices at certain centres.

However, the commission confirmed that these issues were later resolved.

Safeguarding democracy

Mr Faina reiterated that ZEC remains committed to conducting a free, fair, and inclusive election.

“The commission continues to strengthen voter registration systems as part of broader preparations for the General Election later this year,” he said.

He further called on political stakeholders, civil society organisations, and citizens to remain engaged and vigilant as Zanzibar moves closer to the polls.