ACT-Wazalendo Concludes Zanzibar Internal Primaries, 606 Members Compete for Political Positions
ACT-Wazalendo has successfully completed its internal primaries in Zanzibar, with 606 members competing for various political positions ahead of the October 2025 General Election. The comprehensive candidate selection process covered multiple levels of political representation, including parliamentary, House of Representatives, and councillor seats.
The party’s internal primaries spanned seven days across 50 constituencies in Unguja and Pemba, running from June 18 to July 7, 2025. Candidate breakdown reveals 119 aspirants for House of Representatives, 138 for Parliament, 178 for councillor posts, 52 for special parliamentary seats, 51 for special House seats, and 68 for special councillor positions.
A notable concern emerging from the primaries is the limited female participation, with only 40 women contesting – representing just 9.2 percent of all aspirants. The party acknowledges the challenges of gender representation in political spaces, attributing the low numbers to existing intimidation and systemic barriers.
The party leadership emphasized their commitment to maintaining unity, cohesion, and democratic processes throughout the candidate selection. Final candidate endorsement is expected to be completed through upcoming secretariat meetings and a general assembly by the end of July 2025.
ACT-Wazalendo remains focused on preparing a strong, diverse candidate lineup for the upcoming general election, with continued efforts to encourage broader political participation across gender lines.
