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Based on the main opposition party, nearly 700 individuals have reportedly died during a three-day period of election-related protests in Tanzania.

Violence Erupts on Election Day

Demonstrations erupted on election day over claims that activists called the stifling of the rival camp after the exclusion of key hopefuls from the presidential ballot.

Fatality Numbers Reported

An rival spokesperson declared that numerous of individuals had been killed since the demonstrations began.

"At present, the number of deaths in the port city is approximately 350 and for another city it is over 200. Including estimates from elsewhere across the nation, the final figure is nearly 700," the official said.

He mentioned that the toll could be significantly greater because fatalities may be taking place during a evening curfew that was implemented from election day.

Additional Accounts

• A official insider allegedly claimed there had been accounts of over 500 dead, "maybe 700-800 in the entire nation."
• Amnesty International reported it had gathered information that no fewer than 100 civilians had been slain.
• Rival groups stated their figures had been compiled by a network of party members attending hospitals and health clinics and "tallying fatalities."

Appeals for Action

The opposition demanded the government to "stop harming our activists" and requested a transitional government to facilitate just and transparent elections.

"Halt excessive force. Respect the will of the people which is democratic rights," the spokesperson stated.

Government Response

The government reacted by imposing a restriction. Internet disruption were also noted, with global watchdogs stating it was countrywide.

The following day, the army chief denounced the unrest and referred to the protesters "offenders". The official stated security forces would try to contain the unrest.

Global Response

The UN human rights office expressed it was "alarmed" by the casualties in the protests, adding it had received reports that at least 10 civilians had been slain by authorities.

The office stated it had received credible accounts of deaths in the port city, in a northwestern region and Morogoro, with security forces discharging live ammunition and teargas to break up demonstrators.

Legal Perspective

A human rights attorney stated it was "unjustified" for law enforcement to employ violence, adding that the country's president "must cease deploying the police against the public."

"The president needs to pay attention to the people. The mood of the nation is that there was an unfair process … The people are unable to choose one candidate," the advocate said.