Dar es Salaam. A total of 18 political parties have signed the Zanzibar General Election Code of Ethics, which aims to ensure fairness among candidates, and that the election is conducted on the basis of freedom, justice, equality and the inclusion of all social groups.
In the election, which will be overseen by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) and will take place over two days, October 28 and October 29, 2025, Zanzibaris are expected to cast their votes for the President of Zanzibar, representatives of the Zanzibar House of Representatives, as well as councillors.
The parties that signed the code on Sunday, August 24, 2025, are AAFP, ADC, ACT-Wazalendo, Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), ADA TADEA, CHAUMMA, CUF, DP, CCK, MAKINI, NCCR-Mageuzi, NLD, NRA, TLP, SAU, UDP, ULD, and UPDP.
Speaking at the event for the signing of the Code, ZEC chairperson George Joseph Kazi, stated that the Code is important for ensuring collective accountability.
“All three parties that have signed today must fulfil their responsibilities as outlined in this Code,” Judge Kazi said, referring to political parties, ZEC and the government. “The goal is to have a historic, democratic, and credible election for the citizens.”
According to the Code, political parties are required to safeguard the security, peace, and rights of all groups, respect candidates, including women and people with disabilities, refrain from insults or incitement, and adhere to campaign timelines.
As for the commission, its responsibility is to ensure compliance with the Constitution and the law, avoid favouring any party or candidate, handle complaints impartially, and provide information transparently.
The government is also mentioned as having a role in providing equal services to all parties, taking legal measures against leaders who violate the code, and ensuring security agencies protect without bias. Additionally, the use of government assets for political activities is prohibited.
However, in what appears to be a continuation of its ‘No Reforms, No Election’ stance, the opposition party CHADEMA boycotted the signing exercise of the Code, stating in its public announcement that there is no indication the upcoming election will be conducted freely and fairly.
“The document signed today is cosmetic and aims to legitimise a flawed process,” said the statement signed by CHADEMA’s spokesperson for Zanzibar, Hamad Mussa Yussuf. “The rights of citizens cannot be safeguarded by a Code of Ethics that lacks legal force or genuine political will.”
CHADEMA also boycotted the signing of the Election Code of Ethics for Tanzania, citing the same reasons that there is no genuine intention among those in power to conduct a fair election. They decided not to participate in the process, stating that doing so would be endorsing an illegitimate exercise.
This stance by CHADEMA indicates that the centre-right opposition party will not participate in the upcoming General Election, neither in Tanzania nor in Zanzibar.
