Joseph Isangura
The High Court of Tanzania has granted permission for a judicial review of the decision by the Registrar of Political Parties to disqualify Luhaga Joelson Mpina as the presidential candidate for the opposition party ACT Wazalendo.
The ruling, delivered on September 26, 2025, by Justice Wilbert Chuma at the Dodoma registry, marks a pivotal moment in the upcoming general elections scheduled for October 29.
Luhaga Mpina, a former member of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and a former Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, defected to ACT Wazalendo in August 2025. Shortly thereafter, he was nominated as the party’s presidential candidate. However, on August 26, the Registrar of Political Parties nullified his nomination, citing procedural irregularities within ACT Wazalendo’s internal rules, specifically the requirement that presidential candidates must have been party members for at least seven days before nomination. This decision was contested by ACT Wazalendo, which argued that the Registrar overstepped its authority and that the disqualification violated Mpina’s constitutional rights.
Justice Chuma’s decision to grant leave for a judicial review allows ACT Wazalendo and Mpina to formally challenge the Registrar’s ruling in court. The judge dismissed preliminary objections raised by the respondents—the Registrar of Political Parties and the Attorney General—who argued that the application did not meet the legal criteria for judicial review.
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Justice Chuma found that the application satisfied the necessary legal standards and that the objections lacked merit. Consequently, the court has directed that the substantive case be heard expeditiously.
This legal development has significant implications for the upcoming elections. The High Court’s decision to allow the challenge underscores the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional rights and ensuring electoral integrity. Should the court ultimately rule in favor of ACT Wazalendo and Mpina, it could pave the way for a more competitive presidential race. Conversely, a ruling in favor of the Registrar’s decision may solidify the current political landscape, potentially limiting opposition participation.
The court has scheduled a hearing for the substantive case, with further proceedings expected in the coming days. Both parties have been instructed to prepare their arguments and evidence accordingly. The outcome of this case will not only affect Mpina’s candidacy but also set a precedent for the interpretation and application of electoral laws in Tanzania.
