MWE Correspondent
The National Independent Electoral Commission has assured voters and political stakeholders that everything is in place for the parliamentary and council by-elections scheduled for December 30, 2025, in selected areas of the Mainland and Zanzibar.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Monday, Commission Chairperson and Court of Appeal Judge Jacobs Mwambegele said the electoral body has completed all technical, administrative, and logistical preparations to ensure the polls are conducted smoothly, transparently, and in line with the law.
The by-elections will take place in Siha Constituency in Kilimanjaro Region on the Mainland and Fuoni Constituency in the West B District of the Urban West Region in Zanzibar. In addition, voters in five council wards on the Mainland will also head to the polls. These wards are Chamwino in Morogoro Municipality, Mbagala Kuu in Temeke Municipality in Dar es Salaam, Nyakasungwa in Buchosa District Council in Mwanza Region, Masoko in Mbeya City Council, and Ndono in Uyui District Council in Tabora Region.
Judge Mwambegele said the contests have attracted strong participation from political parties, with 33 candidates from 17 parties vying for parliamentary and councillor positions. Of these, 21 candidates are men while 12 are women, a balance the Commission described as encouraging progress toward broader political inclusion.
According to the Commission, a total of 218,024 registered voters listed in the Permanent Voters’ Register are expected to cast their ballots at 556 polling stations that have been officially designated for the exercise. Polling materials have already been distributed, election officials deployed, and final checks conducted to ensure polling stations are ready to open on time.
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The Chairperson reminded political parties to fully play their role by assigning agents to all polling, counting, and tallying centres. He stressed that party agents are a vital part of the electoral process, as they help enhance transparency and build trust in the outcome. Election supervisors in all affected constituencies and wards, he said, have already put systems in place to allow agents to observe every stage of voting and counting.
Judge Mwambegele also called on agents to carry out their duties responsibly, urging them to strictly observe electoral laws, regulations, and Commission guidelines. “Their task is not only to safeguard the interests of their parties and candidates, but also to respect the integrity of the electoral process,” he said.
By-elections, which are held to fill vacant representative positions, are widely recognised as an important part of democratic governance. Globally, independent electoral commissions are expected to manage such processes impartially to ensure public confidence in outcomes.
Political analysts note that by-elections often serve as a test of party organisation and voter engagement at the local level, while also offering citizens a renewed opportunity to exercise their democratic rights through elections.
The Commission has urged voters in all affected areas to turn out peacefully and vote responsibly, while calling on candidates and their supporters to maintain calm and respect the law. Any violations, the Chairperson warned, will be handled in accordance with existing legal procedures.
As polling day draws closer, observers will be watching closely to see how the process unfolds across diverse regions. A peaceful and credible exercise, the Commission said, would further strengthen confidence in democratic institutions and align with international best practices promoted by organisations such as the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
The electoral body reiterated its commitment to delivering a free, fair, and orderly by-election, describing the vote as another important step in sustaining democratic representation and public trust.
