🔗 Share this article Nearly 700 Supposedly Fallen in Tanzanian Poll Unrest, Opposition Asserts According to the primary rival faction, about 700 civilians have reportedly perished during a three-day period of election-related demonstrations in Tanzania. Clashes Starts on Polling Day Demonstrations erupted on election day over allegations that protesters labeled the suppression of the rival camp after the disqualification of major contenders from the presidential ballot. Death Numbers Reported A opposition official announced that scores of people had been slain since the protests commenced. "At present, the number of deaths in the port city is nearly 350 and for another city it is over 200. Including estimates from other regions throughout the nation, the total figure is nearly 700," the official stated. The spokesperson added that the number could be even larger because fatalities might be occurring during a nighttime lockdown that was enforced from election day. Other Estimates An security insider reportedly claimed there had been information of over 500 deaths, "perhaps 700-800 in the nationwide." The human rights organization said it had received data that at least 100 individuals had been killed. The opposition claimed their numbers had been collected by a team of activists going to medical facilities and health centers and "counting fatalities." Demands for Change The opposition called for the authorities to "cease killing our protesters" and requested a transitional government to enable just and transparent polls. "Stop excessive force. Respect the will of the public which is democratic rights," the official stated. Authorities Response Officials reacted by imposing a restriction. Internet disruption were also observed, with global monitors indicating it was across the nation. On Thursday, the army chief denounced the clashes and labeled the activists "lawbreakers". He announced security forces would try to control the situation. International Response United Nations human rights office expressed it was "deeply concerned" by the deaths and injuries in the unrest, noting it had obtained information that a minimum of 10 individuals had been killed by law enforcement. The office stated it had collected reliable accounts of fatalities in Dar es Salaam, in a northwestern region and an eastern area, with law enforcement firing live ammunition and teargas to scatter crowds. Expert Opinion An civil rights attorney claimed it was "unjustified" for law enforcement to employ violence, noting that the nation's president "should refrain from deploying the law enforcement against the civilians." "She should heed the people. The sentiment of the nation is that there was an unfair process … We are unable to choose one candidate," the lawyer said.