🔗 Share this article Around 700 Apparently Fallen in Tanzanian Election Demonstrations, Opposition States Based on the leading rival faction, approximately 700 citizens have reportedly perished during 72 hours of poll-related unrest in Tanzania. Clashes Begins on Polling Day Protests started on election day over what demonstrators labeled the stifling of the opposition after the exclusion of key candidates from the election contest. Death Figures Reported A opposition spokesperson declared that numerous of civilians had been killed since the protests commenced. "At present, the death toll in the port city is about 350 and for another city it is 200-plus. Combined with figures from other places around the country, the total number is about 700," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson noted that the death count could be even larger because killings might be taking place during a nighttime curfew that was enforced from election day. Additional Reports A security insider allegedly claimed there had been reports of over 500 dead, "maybe 700-800 in the nationwide." Amnesty International reported it had gathered data that no fewer than 100 civilians had been slain. The opposition asserted their estimates had been collected by a group of party members going to medical facilities and health clinics and "tallying dead bodies." Appeals for Intervention Rival officials demanded the administration to "halt killing our activists" and called for a transitional administration to enable just and transparent elections. "Halt police brutality. Respect the will of the people which is electoral justice," the official declared. Authorities Response Authorities responded by imposing a curfew. Internet disruption were also observed, with international observers indicating it was across the nation. The following day, the military leader denounced the unrest and referred to the activists "offenders". The official announced authorities would attempt to manage the unrest. International Response The UN human rights office stated it was "worried" by the casualties in the unrest, mentioning it had gathered information that a minimum of 10 individuals had been killed by law enforcement. The office stated it had collected trustworthy reports of casualties in the port city, in a northwestern region and Morogoro, with officials firing live ammunition and teargas to disperse protesters. Expert View An human rights advocate claimed it was "unacceptable" for authorities to use force, noting that the country's president "must cease using the law enforcement against the public." "She must listen to the public. The sentiment of the country is that there was no election … We are unable to elect a single contender," the lawyer said.