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Per the main opposition group, about 700 individuals have allegedly been slain during three days of poll-related demonstrations in Tanzania.

Violence Begins on Voting Day

Uprisings erupted on Wednesday over what demonstrators called the silencing of the opposition after the exclusion of key candidates from the election contest.

Casualty Estimates Stated

A opposition official claimed that hundreds of civilians had been killed since the unrest commenced.

"As we speak, the death toll in the port city is around 350 and for another city it is 200-plus. Added to estimates from elsewhere around the nation, the final figure is nearly 700," the official stated.

The spokesperson mentioned that the death count could be much higher because killings may be taking place during a evening restriction that was enforced from Wednesday.

Other Estimates

• A security insider supposedly mentioned there had been accounts of exceeding 500 dead, "perhaps 700-800 in the entire nation."
• Amnesty International said it had gathered reports that at least 100 individuals had been killed.
• The opposition stated their numbers had been collected by a team of activists going to hospitals and health centers and "tallying the deceased."

Demands for Change

The opposition urged the administration to "stop targeting our demonstrators" and called for a transitional government to enable free and fair elections.

"Stop police brutality. Uphold the voice of the citizens which is fair elections," the spokesperson said.

Government Reaction

Authorities responded by enforcing a lockdown. Internet disruption were also reported, with global monitors indicating it was across the nation.

On Thursday, the military leader criticized the unrest and referred to the demonstrators "lawbreakers". He said authorities would attempt to control the situation.

Global Response

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said it was "worried" by the fatalities and harm in the unrest, mentioning it had gathered accounts that a minimum of 10 people had been killed by law enforcement.

The organization stated it had received credible accounts of casualties in the port city, in Shinyanga and Morogoro, with security forces using real bullets and chemical irritants to break up crowds.

Expert View

A civil rights advocate stated it was "unreasonable" for authorities to resort to arms, adding that the country's president "must cease deploying the police against the public."

"The president should heed the citizens. The feeling of the nation is that there was an unfair process … We are unable to choose only one option," the advocate said.