Zanzibar Court dismisses election petitions due to flawed affidavits
The High Court of Zanzibar has dismissed an appeal regarding eight election petitions, citing fatal flaws in the supporting affidavits. The court upheld a previous ruling that the documents contained improper legal arguments and procedural errors that could not be rectified.
Why it matters
This decision reinforces strict procedural standards for legal challenges in the Zanzibar electoral process, impacting the resolution of political disputes.
Arusha. The High Court of Zanzibar has dismissed an appeal challenging the striking out of eight election petitions after finding that the supporting affidavits contained fatal flaws that could not be remedied.
The decision was delivered on Monday, August 31, 2026, by a three-Judge panel comprising Fatma Hamid Mahmoud, Said Hassan Said and Salum Hassan Bakari, in Civil Appeal Number 1 of 2026.
The appeal was lodged by Omar Said Shaaban, Ally Abdullah Ally, Makkiye Mwadini Mussa, Ziada Mwadini Mussa, Haji Haji Silima, Yussuf Mussa Haji, Juma Abdul Hamid and Abdalla Jihad Hassan against returning officers of Pangawe, Malindi, Kiembe Samaki, Makunduchi, Chaani, Mkwajuni, Chumbuni and Mwanakwerekwe constituencies, alongside the Attorney General of Zanzibar.
The appellants were challenging Justice Mohamed Shein’s March 5, 2026 decision to strike out the eight petitions after finding that their supporting affidavits contained fatal defects.
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