🔗 Share this article Roughly 700 Supposedly Fallen in Tanzania Election Unrest, Rival Declares According to the main rival party, around 700 individuals have allegedly lost their lives during 72 hours of election-related demonstrations in the East African nation. Violence Begins on Polling Day Demonstrations started on Wednesday over what demonstrators called the suppression of the opposition after the removal of prominent contenders from the presidential race. Casualty Estimates Claimed A rival official claimed that numerous of people had been killed since the unrest began. "Currently, the fatality count in Dar es Salaam is around 350 and for another city it is 200-plus. Combined with estimates from elsewhere around the country, the total number is nearly 700," he stated. He added that the death count could be much higher because fatalities may be occurring during a evening restriction that was enforced from election day. Further Reports An security insider reportedly mentioned there had been reports of more than 500 deaths, "possibly 700-800 in the whole country." Amnesty International said it had obtained information that a minimum of 100 people had been slain. The opposition stated their figures had been compiled by a group of supporters going to hospitals and medical centers and "documenting the deceased." Appeals for Action The opposition called for the administration to "halt harming our demonstrators" and called for a interim administration to pave the way for just and transparent votes. "Stop excessive force. Uphold the will of the citizens which is democratic rights," the spokesperson stated. Authorities Measures Officials reacted by enforcing a lockdown. Online restrictions were also noted, with international monitors indicating it was across the nation. On Thursday, the military leader denounced the clashes and labeled the activists "lawbreakers". He stated authorities would attempt to contain the crisis. Global Response The UN human rights office stated it was "alarmed" by the deaths and injuries in the demonstrations, mentioning it had obtained accounts that a minimum of 10 people had been killed by law enforcement. The office stated it had collected trustworthy reports of casualties in Dar es Salaam, in a northwestern region and Morogoro, with law enforcement firing real bullets and chemical irritants to break up demonstrators. Expert View An civil rights lawyer claimed it was "unjustified" for authorities to resort to arms, noting that the nation's president "ought to cease sending the police against the public." "She must pay attention to the people. The feeling of the country is that there was an unfair process … The people are unable to vote for one candidate," the advocate stated.