Zanzibar President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, on Saturday became the first candidate to submit his nomination papers to the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) ahead of next month’s polls.
Dr. Mwinyi, who is seeking re-election under the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) ticket, presented the forms at ZEC headquarters in Maisara, Urban West Region, on September 6, 2025.
Speaking shortly after the submission, he thanked CCM members for endorsing his candidacy and called on fellow aspirants to conduct peaceful campaigns.
“Our democracy thrives when we compete with ideas, not conflict. I urge all candidates to put peace at the centre of their campaigns,” he said.
ZEC Chairperson, Judge George Joseph Kazi, confirmed receipt of the papers and outlined the next steps in the electoral process.
“The commission will now proceed with verification and the objection period before publishing the official list of candidates,” he explained.
According to the commission’s timetable, election campaigns will commence on September 13 and run until October 28.
Voters will go to the polls on October 29, 2025, to elect Zanzibar’s next president and representatives in the House of Representatives.
