A special session of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday approved two parliamentary contesting appeals while rejecting six appeals.

An INEC statement said that the session ruled on 13 of the 33 appeals submitted by parliamentary and councillor candidates challenging those nominations, where INEC decisions resulted in the reinstatement of two parliamentary and two councillor candidates, allowing them to pursue their election campaigns.

Two appeals on councillor positions were approved and three were rejected, with the appeals filed under Sections 53 and 65 of the Elections Act No. 1 of 2024, which permits interested parties to file objections against specific party nominations.

The successful parliamentary election nomination appeals included Ezekiel Katabi of Chaumma for Muhambwe constituency and Athumani Henku of CUF for the Ikungi East constituency. Both candidates were reinstated in the official list.

For councillor positions, Yasini Bakiri and Alex Nachingulu from ACT-Wazalendo had their appeals approved for Mlingula and Mwena wards in Ndanda constituency respectively. These four candidates are now cleared to proceed with their campaign activities, the statement affirmed.

Appellants losing their bids were Msowoya Goodluck (Kilombero, ACT-Wazalendo), Innocent Gabriel Siriwa (Kibamba, ADC), David Mhanga (Mkuranga, Chaumma), Christina Mbise (Ubungo, ADC), Cecil Akili (Ndanda, ACT-Wazalendo), and Mneke Saidi (Newala Rural - CUF). Appeals of three councillor candidates were rejected, listed as Abisai Hankungwe (Mabatini ward, Mbeya Urban – Chaumma), Mwajuma Tito (Nanganga ward, Ndanda,- CUF) and Jacob Mdolo (Ilolo ward, Vwawa-CCM).

INEC will be updating the public on the remaining appeals as decisions in that direction are finalised, the statement added.