ZEC to unveil election timetable next Monday

ZANZIBAR: THE Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) will on Monday, next week, announce the much-anticipated timetable for this year’s General Election in Zanzibar, marking a crucial step in the islands’ electoral calendar.

ZEC is the body mandated to oversee elections for councillors, members of the House of Representatives and the President of Zanzibar.

Whereas, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) handles the Union presidential election, parliamentary polls across the United Republic of Tanzania and council elections on the mainland.

This separation of duties is designed to ensure efficiency and clear jurisdiction between the two commissions.

Nationwide voting is set for October 29. INEC has already taken a lead by releasing its timetable and officially opening the window for Union presidential candidates to submit their nomination papers.

The process began on Saturday, August 9 and is expected to attract both new entrants and seasoned politicians in the race for the country’s highest Union office.

Speaking in Zanzibar City, ZEC Director Thabit Idarous Faina emphasised that the commission operates in strict adherence to the Elections Act No. 4 of 2018. The law stipulates that the full election schedule must be announced within five days of the dissolution of the House of Representatives.

“President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, officially announced the dissolution of the House on August 13, 2025. Once that date is reached, ZEC will be obliged to announce the nomination date for candidates,” Mr Faina explained. He noted that the August 18 announcement will present a complete electoral roadmap, from the collection of nomination forms to the official nomination day and the subsequent campaign period.

In addition to announcing the timetable, ZEC is preparing for the signing of the electoral code of conduct by all registered political parties on August 24. This year’s event will adopt a unique approach to symbolise the collective commitment to peaceful elections.

“On that day, we will organise a peace walk from the Idrissa Abdul Wakil Hall in Kikwajuni to ZEC headquarters. This walk will promote peaceful coexistence among political actors and the public. Upon arrival, parties will sign the campaign code of conduct to foster harmony throughout the electoral process,” Mr Faina said.

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The code of conduct serves as a moral and procedural guide, ensuring that parties, candidates and their supporters refrain from acts of violence, intimidation, or inflammatory rhetoric during campaigns. Past elections have demonstrated that adherence to such agreements significantly reduces electoral tensions.