INEC insists Mpina doesn’t qualify for presidential candidacy

DODOMA: THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its stance that Luhaga Mpina, who was vying for the presidency under the ACT-Wazalendo party, has not been approved as a presidential candidate.

In a public statement issued today, September 22, 2025, INEC stated that ACT-Wazalendo currently has no presidential candidate or running mate, following the nullification of their nomination on September 15, 2025. The nullification came after an objection was raised by the Attorney General.

“We reiterate that the ACT-Wazalendo party has no presidential candidate or running mate for the 2025 General Election of the United Republic of Tanzania, in accordance with the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission dated September 15, 2025, which nullified the nomination of Luhaga Mpina,” the statement read. It was signed by the Director of Elections, Ramadhani Kailima, and distributed to the media.

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This clarification comes in response to a statement published on ACT-Wazalendo’s official page on Sunday, September 21, 2025. In that statement, the party informed the public that its presidential candidate, Luhaga Mpina, along with his running mate and other senior party leaders, would attend the launch of the party’s manifesto and participate in a public rally in Segerea constituency, Dar es Salaam.

However, INEC has stated that it does not recognize the planned event, emphasizing that the constituency’s election supervisor has not reported any approved ACT-Wazalendo rally in the area where the party claims the event is to take place today.