The opposition party ACT-Wazalendo has rejected a directive from the Registrar of Political Parties to annul the candidacy of Luhaga Joelson Mpina as its presidential nominee for the upcoming General Election.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the party confirmed it had received formal communication from the Registrar regarding the decision but stressed that its legal department was reviewing the matter.
The party said it would announce its next steps after completing a detailed assessment.
“ACT-Wazalendo will not comply with the Registrar’s directive because the election process is already in motion. The National Electoral Commission has issued nomination forms, and candidates are in the process of completing and submitting them. Under these circumstances, the Registrar has no legal mandate to intervene except through formal objection procedures,” the statement read.
The party noted that Mpina has already undertaken all necessary steps to secure his nomination. “Our presidential candidate, Luhaga Joelson Mpina, has collected the forms, filled them out, traveled across the country to seek endorsements, sworn the oath in court, and completed all required procedures. As of today, August 26, 2025, his documents have been verified by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Tomorrow at 1:00 p.m., they will be submitted to the Commission for official nomination,” ACT-Wazalendo stated.
The party further announced it will challenge the decision in court. “We will file a case in the High Court to contest the Registrar’s action and seek an injunction to prevent its implementation until the main case is heard,” the statement added.
The development signals an escalating political and legal showdown as the nomination process enters a decisive phase ahead of the October polls.