Tanzania’s Office of the Registrar of Political Parties has cancelled the nomination of Luhaga Joelson Mpina as ACT Wazalendo’s presidential candidate, saying he was picked outside the party’s rules.

The decision came after a petition by ACT’s Dar es Salaam regional secretary, Monalisa Ndala, who argued Mpina’s entry into the party and his nomination process violated party regulations. The Registrar ruled that Mpina joined ACT Wazalendo too late to qualify for the presidency.

ACT Wazalendo has rejected the ruling, calling it interference in the election process. Party Secretary General Ado Shaibu said Mpina had already fulfilled all requirements, including picking nomination forms, securing sponsors and swearing before court.

“The Registrar has no authority to interfere once the election process has started,” Shaibu said, confirming that the party will move to the High Court and seek an injunction to stop the ruling from being enforced.

The move comes just a day before the National Electoral Commission (INEC) begins official nominations for presidential and parliamentary candidates ahead of the October 2025 polls.