On October 25, 2015 Zanzibaris peacefully cast their votes for the President of Tanzania and President of Zanzibar, Members of the Union Parliament and the Zanzibar House of Representatives. On October 26, results collected in each polling station showed that opposition Presidential Candidate Seif Sharif Hamad (52.87 %) had defeated the ruling-party incumbent Ali Mohammed Sheni (46%). On October 28, before the official results had been announced, the Chairman of the Zanzibar Electoral Commission single-handedly cancelled the election. Incumbent Ali Mohammed Sheni has refused to step down, and Zanzibaris are living under increasing military surveillance. Zanzibar’s current government is illegal, Zanzibaris’ clear political voice has been silenced, and peace in the islands is at stake.



