Zanzibar First VP Meeting with Zanzibar Diaspora in Canada Highlights Concerns Over Voter Registration

By MSIMULIZI

Othman Masoud Othman, leader of the ACT opposition party and First Vice President of the Zanzibar GNU, held a meeting with Zanzibari and Tanzanian mainland diaspora based in Toronto, Canada, on Sunday afternoon.

The main aim of the ACT chairman’s visit to Toronto was to introduce Masoud to the thriving Zanzibar/TZ diaspora community in Canada, providing a platform for him to share his vision for Zanzibar’s future in anticipation of the 2025 General Elections. Masoud portrayed a somewhat bleak picture of Zanzibar under the ruling party CCM.

Zanzibar has the potential to achieve greater economic prosperity than many islands in the Indian Ocean, Masoud observed, drawing parallels with the achievements of Mauritius and Seychelles. Masoud discussed economy situation on the indian ocean island, Mr. Othman also expressed concerns over Zanzibar’s voter registration process and two-day voting arrangement, citing potential for vote rigging and electoral violence.

He highlighted issues including restrictions on reporting election fraud, voter registration barriers, and lack of transparency in the Electoral Commission. He advocated for public access to voter registration lists and removal of ghost voters. Dual citizenship, a long-time cry of the Tanzanian diaspora everywhere was another topic of discussion. Confirming that his party supports the Dual Citizenship project.