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Based on the main rival faction, about 700 people have allegedly been killed during a three-day period of election-related unrest in the East African nation.

Violence Erupts on Election Day

Protests erupted on Wednesday over allegations that activists described as the suppression of the opposition after the removal of key contenders from the election contest.

Death Figures Claimed

An opposition spokesperson declared that scores of civilians had been slain since the unrest started.

"As we speak, the number of deaths in Dar es Salaam is about 350 and for Mwanza it is 200-plus. Combined with figures from other regions throughout the country, the final number is nearly 700," he said.

He noted that the toll could be much higher because deaths may be occurring during a evening restriction that was enforced from election day.

Other Accounts

• A security source reportedly mentioned there had been reports of more than 500 dead, "perhaps 700-800 in the entire nation."
• Amnesty International reported it had gathered information that at least 100 people had been killed.
• Rival groups asserted their figures had been gathered by a network of party members visiting medical facilities and medical centers and "tallying dead bodies."

Calls for Intervention

The opposition urged the administration to "halt targeting our protesters" and requested a transitional government to pave the way for free and fair elections.

"Stop excessive force. Honor the choice of the citizens which is democratic rights," the official said.

Government Measures

The government responded by enforcing a restriction. Internet disruption were also observed, with global monitors reporting it was nationwide.

The following day, the military leader criticized the unrest and called the demonstrators "lawbreakers". He stated authorities would seek to contain the crisis.

Global Response

United Nations human rights office stated it was "alarmed" by the deaths and injuries in the protests, noting it had obtained reports that a minimum of 10 individuals had been lost their lives by authorities.

The office mentioned it had collected credible accounts of fatalities in Dar es Salaam, in Shinyanga and Morogoro, with security forces discharging gunfire and chemical irritants to scatter demonstrators.

Legal View

An civil rights lawyer claimed it was "unreasonable" for law enforcement to use force, adding that the country's leader "should cease deploying the law enforcement against the public."

"She should listen to the citizens. The feeling of the country is that there was no fair vote … The people are unable to choose only one option," the lawyer said.