The Zanzibar High Court in Tunguu today concluded the preliminary hearing of 17 cases challenging the results of the October 29, 2025, House of Representatives election, filed by former ACT WAZALENDO candidates.
Registrar of the High Court, Valentine Katema, said that after completing all initial procedures, his office will forward the case files to the Chief Justice of Zanzibar to assign judges who will hear the petitions.
He adjourned today’s session, noting that his role is limited to overseeing preliminary steps before the formal legal process continues.
The cases involve objections to the declaration of CCM candidates as winners. Nine petitions were filed in Unguja and eight in Pemba.
All petitioners attended court, accompanied by national party leaders and members. Petitioners’ lawyer, Suleiman Abdalla, requested the court to allow submission of reply documents, as promised during the initial session held on December 10, 2025.
The respondents sought time to review the replies and determine whether additional submissions were necessary.
The respondents are the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) and the Attorney General of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.
The government was represented by a team of senior advocates led by Salim Said, Mbarouk Suleiman Othman, Ali Issa Abdalla, and Maulid Ame Mohamed on behalf of ZEC.
Cases in Pemba are scheduled to be mentioned again on December 23, 2025, to complete the preliminary procedures.
Disputed constituencies in Unguja include Nungwi, Kijini, Mkwajuni, Chaani, Tumbatu, Bumbwini, Mtoni, Mwera, Welezo, Mwanakwerekwe, Pangawe, Kiembesamaki, Amani, Chumbuni, Mpendae, Malindi, and Makunduchi.
In Pemba, they include Kojani, Micheweni, Wawi, Chake Chake, Chonga, Kiwani, Chambani, and Mkoani.