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ACT Wazalendo has officially confirmed it will participate fully in the 2025 General Election, vying for all key leadership positions including the Presidency of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Presidency of Zanzibar, Parliamentary and House of Representatives seats, as well as local government positions.
The announcement was made by Party Leader Dorothy Jonas Semu during a press briefing held on April 16, 2025, at the party’s sub-headquarters in Vuga, Zanzibar.
Addressing journalists, party leaders, members, and citizens following the event across Tanzania and Zanzibar, Ms. Semu described the moment as historic not only for the party but for the future of democracy in the country.
She stated that ACT Wazalendo has once again taken up the responsibility of leading the national struggle for democratic rights.
She recalled that the party’s National Executive Council had met on February 23, 2024, where the decision to participate in the 2025 elections was referred to the National Leadership Committee for final approval.
After an in-depth political analysis and reflection, the committee reached a unanimous decision on April 15, 2025, in Zanzibar to contest the elections at all levels.
Ms. Semu outlined three major reasons behind the party’s decision.First, she emphasized the need to protect and restore the value of the vote.
“In recent elections including the 2019 Local Government Election, the 2020 General Election, and the 2024 Local Government Election we’ve seen the democratic process undermined,” she said.
“State institutions have increasingly manipulated outcomes, stripping citizens of their right to freely choose their leaders. This is not just unacceptable it is an assault on citizenship itself.”
She affirmed that ACT Wazalendo believes elections belong to the people, not political parties, and that the 2025 elections will be used as a platform to rally Tanzanians in defense of their constitutional right to vote.
“We are ready to confront CCM in whatever form it comes. We are prepared to lead a citizen movement that will protect the value of the vote and uphold our constitution, which declares that all power originates from the people.”
Second, Ms. Semu rejected the idea of boycotting the elections, warning that such a move would only strengthen anti-democratic forces.
She argued that CCM would welcome a weakened opposition to maintain its grip on power. “History shows that in countries like Kenya (2017), Egypt (2018), Ivory Coast (2020), Venezuela (2018), and even Zanzibar (2015), election boycotts only made it easier for ruling regimes to suppress democratic rights,” she explained. “We will not give CCM that opportunity.”
She added that ACT Wazalendo is committed to turning the 2025 elections into a battleground for demanding electoral reforms and confronting attempts to undermine democracy. “For us, the election is not just a vote it is a fight for change.”
The third reason, she said, is the failure of CCM to govern the country effectively. “CCM has failed to deliver economic, political, and social transformation. The party is out of ideas and out of touch,” she said.
Ms. Semu cited ACT Wazalendo’s analysis of the 2022/2023 report by the Controller and Auditor General, which revealed that over TSh 3.14 trillion had been lost to mismanagement and corruption. “These are resources that could have improved water supply, education, health services, and infrastructure. Instead, they’ve been lost while CCM celebrates mediocrity.”
Ms. Semu stated that ACT Wazalendo will use the elections to offer Tanzanians an alternative. “We are giving the people a platform to reject CCM.
We stand with the unemployed youth, with farmers and workers who are exploited, and with all those whose voices have been silenced. We are fighting for a country that works for everyone not just a privileged few.”
In conclusion, she reaffirmed the party’s resolve to continue the struggle for electoral reforms and democratic governance.
“ACT Wazalendo will fight for reforms until the very last moment. We will campaign while fighting, and fight while campaigning. I am ready to lead this struggle and so are my fellow leaders. Through our Operation Defend Democracy, we are mobilizing the power of the people to protect and restore democracy in Tanzania.”
Her final call was directed to all Tanzanians: “Do not give up. Do not lose hope. This is our fight. We’re not backing down. The struggle continues.”
