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Based on the chief rival group, around 700 people have allegedly been killed during 72 hours of voting clashes in Tanzania.

Clashes Begins on Polling Day

Demonstrations started on Wednesday over claims that demonstrators called the stifling of the rival camp after the exclusion of prominent contenders from the election contest.

Casualty Figures Stated

An rival spokesperson claimed that scores of people had been killed since the demonstrations started.

"As we speak, the number of deaths in the port city is about 350 and for another city it is more than 200. Combined with figures from other places around the country, the final count is nearly 700," the spokesperson remarked.

The spokesperson noted that the number could be much higher because killings could be occurring during a evening restriction that was implemented from election day.

Additional Reports

• An official source reportedly mentioned there had been accounts of over 500 fatalities, "possibly 700-800 in the whole country."
• Amnesty International said it had gathered reports that a minimum of 100 people had been lost their lives.
• Rival groups claimed their numbers had been collected by a group of activists going to hospitals and medical centers and "counting dead bodies."

Appeals for Action

The opposition urged the government to "stop killing our activists" and requested a caretaker government to enable free and fair votes.

"Stop police brutality. Uphold the voice of the public which is electoral justice," the spokesperson said.

Authorities Reaction

Officials reacted by imposing a restriction. Internet disruption were also observed, with global watchdogs reporting it was across the nation.

The following day, the army chief criticized the unrest and labeled the demonstrators "criminals". He stated authorities would attempt to manage the unrest.

Global Response

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said it was "worried" by the casualties in the unrest, noting it had received reports that a minimum of 10 people had been lost their lives by law enforcement.

The organization reported it had collected credible information of casualties in Dar es Salaam, in Shinyanga and Morogoro, with officials using gunfire and chemical irritants to scatter demonstrators.

Legal Perspective

A human rights attorney claimed it was "unreasonable" for security agencies to use force, adding that the nation's president "ought to cease sending the law enforcement against the civilians."

"She should listen to the citizens. The mood of the nation is that there was no fair vote … We are unable to choose only one option," the advocate said.