Zanzibar formally annuls October 25 elections amid crisis talks

Zanzibar voters cheer as they awaited results of the October 25 elections which were later nullified over alleged malpractices. (Photo: AFP)

Zanzibar has formally annulled October's elections meaning a rerun appears more likely, despite continued negotiations to strike a political deal on Tanzania's semi-autonomous islands.

Despite fierce opposition criticism, the government gazette on Wednesday formalised the nullification of the October 25 polls, cancelled after the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) cited "violations of electoral law".