Mwinyi opens ZEC offices, urges credibility
ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has officially inaugurated the newly constructed headquarters of the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC), describing the milestone as a significant step towards enhancing democratic governance in the Isles.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony held at Maisara in Unguja, Dr Mwinyi said the new building will enable ZEC to discharge its constitutional mandate, particularly in overseeing free, fair and credible elections.
“The completion of this facility is a milestone in empowering the commission to carry out its duties in a conducive and independent environment,” Mwinyi said.
“It will allow for timely and reliable services to the public and align with all required electoral standards,” he added.
He said that the government took the initiative to construct the state-of-the-art headquarters, along with similar district-level offices, to create better working conditions for ZEC officials and staff.
He said absence of such infrastructure had long been a concern of the commission, he noted.
“I am pleased the government has fulfilled this commitment by delivering an office complex that meets the dignity and expectations of ZEC,” he said, urging the commission’s staff to take good care of the facility to preserve its quality for future use.
He also commended the project supervisors and the Chinese construction firm CRJE for completing the building on schedule.
As the country gears up for the 2025 General Election later this year, President Mwinyi praised ZEC for its ongoing preparations, including the peaceful completion of both phases of the voter registration process.
“The transparency displayed so far gives us hope that the elections will be free and fair,” he said.
He called on citizens who have not collected their voter ID cards to do so once ZEC announces the dates, encouraging those who already have their cards to keep them safe in order to exercise their democratic rights.
President Mwinyi also reminded the public of their responsibility to uphold peace and national unity during the electoral period, saying, “elections should not be a source of division or conflict.
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Peace must remain the cornerstone of our nation’s development.”
On his part, Zanzibar’s Second Vice-President, Hemed Suleiman Abdullah, stated that the new facility will boost ZEC’s operational efficiency and strengthen its capacity to deliver credible elections.
“This building reflects the eighth phase government’s commitment to developing modern, worldclass infrastructure,” he said, adding “we hope ZEC will continue working diligently and uphold the government’s ambition to provide quality public services.”
ZEC Chairman, Justice George Kazi, said the new facility will improve the commission’s ability to deliver timely and professional electoral services.
ZEC Director of Elections, Thabit Idarous Faina, said the four-storey building, constructed under the supervision of the Zanzibar Building Agency and built by CRJE, began in January 2024.
It features modern infrastructure and complies with international operational standards.
The facility includes an election operations centre, a storage warehouse for election materials, a 300-seat conference hall, a results tabulation centre and several offices.
It is also equipped with ICT systems, CCTV security cameras, power backup systems and amenities for people with disabilities.
Mr Faina said the building cost over 14.1bn/-, fully financed by the Government’s General Fund and emphasised that it will serve as a central hub for managing elections and archiving records.
He applauded Dr Mwinyi’s leadership, stating that the project reflects the government’s dedication to good governance, transparency and the conduct of free and fair elections.
