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Based on the leading rival group, around 700 individuals have allegedly perished during 72 hours of poll-related protests in Tanzania.

Clashes Begins on Election Day

Demonstrations erupted on Wednesday over allegations that protesters described as the suppression of the rival camp after the removal of prominent hopefuls from the presidential ballot.

Fatality Numbers Claimed

An rival official announced that hundreds of people had been slain since the demonstrations commenced.

"Currently, the fatality count in the port city is nearly 350 and for another city it is more than 200. Including figures from other places around the country, the overall count is approximately 700," he stated.

The spokesperson added that the toll could be even larger because deaths might be occurring during a night-time restriction that was imposed from election day.

Other Estimates

• A security insider reportedly claimed there had been accounts of exceeding 500 fatalities, "possibly 700-800 in the nationwide."
• Amnesty International said it had gathered reports that at least 100 individuals had been lost their lives.
• The opposition claimed their estimates had been gathered by a network of supporters visiting hospitals and health centers and "counting fatalities."

Calls for Action

The opposition urged the authorities to "halt targeting our demonstrators" and requested a transitional administration to pave the way for just and transparent polls.

"Halt violence. Uphold the will of the citizens which is fair elections," the official said.

Authorities Response

Authorities reacted by enforcing a restriction. Web outages were also observed, with global monitors stating it was nationwide.

On Thursday, the army chief denounced the clashes and referred to the demonstrators "criminals". The official stated authorities would try to control the situation.

International Reaction

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated it was "worried" by the casualties in the unrest, mentioning it had received accounts that a minimum of 10 people had been lost their lives by law enforcement.

The organization mentioned it had received credible reports of casualties in Dar es Salaam, in Shinyanga and Morogoro, with law enforcement firing real bullets and teargas to disperse crowds.

Expert Perspective

A human rights advocate remarked it was "unjustified" for security agencies to use force, noting that the nation's leader "should cease sending the police against the people."

"The president needs to pay attention to the people. The sentiment of the nation is that there was no fair vote … The people cannot choose only one option," the advocate stated.