The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that, under Sections 53 and 65 of the Elections Act for President, Members of Parliament, and Councilors No. 1 of 2024, after nominations are completed, parliamentary and councilor candidates are allowed to file objections against the nominations.

The accepted councilor appeals include two cases: Yasini Mazoea Bakiri, councilor candidate for Mlingula Ward in Ndanda Constituency through ACT-Wazalendo, against the Returning Officer of Ndanda Constituency; and Alex Tresiford Nachingulu, councilor candidate for Mwena Ward in Ndanda Constituency through ACT-Wazalendo, against the Returning Officer of Ndanda Constituency.

According to the statement, the mentioned candidates have been reinstated to the official list of councilor candidates in their respective wards and will continue with campaign procedures.

The rejected councilor appeals include three cases: Abisai Raston Hankungwe, councilor candidate for Mabatini Ward in Mbeya Urban Constituency through CHAUMMA, against Stephen Kael Mwaisumo, councilor candidate for Mabatini Ward through CCM; Mwajuma Hamidu Tito, councilor candidate for Nanganga Ward in Ndanda Constituency through CUF, against the Assistant Returning Officer of Nanganga Ward, Ndanda Constituency; and Jacob Jaston Mdolo, councilor candidate for Ilolo Ward in Vwawa Constituency through CCM, against Richard Mwendanjila Kibona, councilor candidate for Ilolo Ward through CHAUMMA.

INEC stated that for appellants (i) and (ii), it upheld the decisions of the respective assistant returning officers not to approve them as councilor candidates.

Furthermore, regarding appellant (iii), Richard Mwendanjila Kibona, INEC upheld the decision of the Assistant Returning Officer of Ilolo Ward, allowing him to continue with councilor campaign procedures.

The Commission also noted that it will continue to provide the public with updates on appeal decisions as they are received.

In its statement, INEC emphasized that Sections 53(6) and 65(7) of the Elections Act for President, Members of Parliament, and Councilors No. 1 of 2024, read together with Regulation 29(1) of the 2025 Elections Regulations, stipulate that any candidate dissatisfied with a returning officer’s decision on the validity of an objection may file an appeal to the Commission within 24 hours of the ruling.