DODOMA (Tanzania), July 27 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the schedule for this year’s General Election, announcing that a total of 37,655,559 eligible registered voters are expected to exercise their democratic right to elect leaders of their choice across the country.
Addressing political parties, civil society organisations, gender groups and media representatives at the INEC premises in Dodoma, Commission’s Chairperson, Justice JacobsMwambegele, said the number of people eligible to vote for the President, Members of Parliament and councillors on Oct 29, 2025, has increased by 26.55 per cent from 29,754,699 voters registered in 2020.
This means that in INEC’s voter register, 7,641,592 new voters have been registered; approximately 136.79 per cent of the initial estimate, while 4,291,699 others updated their information, equivalent to 98.23 per cent of the projected figure.
Breaking down the figures, the INEC Chairperson noted that of the total registered voters, 36,650,932 are from Mainland Tanzania, while the remaining 1,004,627 are from Zanzibar.
In terms of gender distribution, he said 18,943,455 are women, representing 50.31 per cent of all registered voters while 18,712,104 are men, accounting for 49.69 per cent.
Explaining further, he said a total of 49,174 registered voters are persons with disabilities.
Justice Mwambegele also said that the registered voters will use a total of 99,911 polling stations across the country to elect leaders. He said 97,349 stations will be in Mainland Tanzania and the remaining 2,562 stations will be in Zanzibar.
Regarding the number of polling stations, he said there has been an increase of 22.49 per cent compared to the 81,567 stations used during the 2020 General Election.
“As previously stated, according to Section 13(1) of the Elections Act No. 1 of 2024, Zanzibar voter registration follows the law governing Zanzibar elections. Thus, 1,766 polling stations from the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) register will also be used by INEC for Union elections in Zanzibar,” Justice Mwambegele clarified.
On the other hand, a total of 99,744 voters were removed from the register due to ineligibility, while 8,703 voters were found to have registered more than once.
Director of Elections, who also serves as INEC’s Secretary, Ramadhan Kailima handed over a list of more than 8,000 individuals whose names appeared more than once to the Police Force for legal action.
He revealed that the details of those found to have registered more than once include their names, locations, dates, contact information and photographs.
Regarding the election timetable, Justice Mwambegele announced that from Aug 9 to Aug 27, 2025, INEC will be issuing nomination forms for Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates.
He noted that from Aug 14 to Aug 27, 2025, it will be a right time for Parliamentary and Councilors candidates to be issued with nomination forms.
INEC has reserved Aug 27, 2025 as a Nomination Day for candidates for President and Vice-President, Parliament and Councils.
The marathon of campaigns will start on Aug 28 until Oct 28, 2025 for Mainland Tanzania while Aug 28–Octr 27, 2025 will be the official campaign period for Zanzibar to allow for early voting.
Oct 29, 2025 (Wednesday), is a day when the General Election will be held, whereas eligible voters will have the opportunity to elect President, Member of Parliaments and councilors.
“The Commission calls upon all stakeholders, including citizens, to actively participate in the electoral process while observing the laws, regulations, guidelines, and instructions that will be provided by the Commission,” Justice Mwambegele emphasized.
Representatives from political parties including ACT-Wazalendo, NCCR-Mageuzi, CHAUMA, and the Civic United Front (CUF) praised the Commission for releasing the timetable, noting that it will facilitate better internal planning. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
