PARTY officials and supporters of the opposition ACT-Wazalendo will accompany early voters in the two day election format in Zanzibar to ensure the process is transparent.

The party’s presidential candidate Othman Masoud Othman made this appeal here at the weekend while addressing party leaders and members shortly after submitting his nomination forms to the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) to contest in the coming polls.

He urged Zanzibaris to support him in the upcoming General Election, asserting that his experience equips him with the knowledge, integrity and patriotism necessary to serve the islands faithfully.

He argued that the current environment effectively legitimizes obtaining the presidency through fraudulent means and emphasized that ACT Wazalendo will never accept the early voting rule as 

legitimate.

The candidate, who also serves as the unity government first vice president, told party followers that he was raised under the guidance of respected and patriotic leaders who instilled in him strong morals, faith and integrity. Experience and knowledge he gained will greatly contribute to bringing about urgently needed reforms in Zanzibar, he declared.

During his formative years in the public service, he was mentored by distinguished leaders who served with high levels of patriotism and integrity, he stated, underlining that it is now the responsibility of all Zanzibaris to work together to restore governance into the hands of the people.

He said ACT-Wazalendo is the only reliable party capable of delivering political leadership reforms, urging party members and the public not to be swayed by other parties.

He snapped at the current two-day election provision, saying it is a tool for vote rigging and manipulation, recalling that the his leadership predecessor, the late Seif Sharif Hamad, demonstrated fairness and civility, which he said has not been honoured under the current government.

Mansour Yusuf Himid, a national executive committee member and deputy chairman of the party’s election committee, underlined that despite limited financial resources, the party has the capability to win the polls. 

He said the government of national unity was achieved through intense efforts to promote coexistence among Zanzibaris, although injustices by government agencies are still rampant. 

“The aim of the revolution was to protect citizens’ rights, including land rights, but some officials misuse patriotism for personal gain,” he said.

Judge Joseph Kazi, the ZEC chairman had earlier handed Othman the nomination forms, explaining that he must have at least 200 sponsors from each region of Zanzibar and submit a sworn declaration before the High Court.

The candidate was endorsed during the ACT-Wazalendo national congress back in June at Mlimani City in Dar es Salaam where he overwhelming number of votes as the sole candidate for the Zanzibar presidency from within the party, observers noted.