When we use multiple select or checkbox option, there is default validator so that the value should not be empty. We can bypass it using the function setRegisterInArrayValidator
Ex: $selCategories = new Zend_Form_Element_MultiCheckbox('categories', array(
'multiOptions' => $categories));
$selCategories->setRegisterInArrayValidator(false);
Ex: $selCategories = new Zend_Form_Element_MultiCheckbox('categories', array(
'multiOptions' => $categories));
$selCategories->setRegisterInArrayValidator(false);