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Per the main opposition party, about 700 civilians have purportedly been slain during a three-day period of election-related clashes in the East African nation.

Unrest Erupts on Election Day

Protests commenced on election day over allegations that demonstrators called the stifling of the opposition after the exclusion of key hopefuls from the presidential ballot.

Fatality Estimates Claimed

A opposition representative declared that scores of individuals had been lost their lives since the demonstrations commenced.

"Currently, the fatality count in Dar es Salaam is around 350 and for another city it is 200-plus. Including figures from elsewhere throughout the nation, the total number is approximately 700," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that the toll could be much higher because deaths may be occurring during a nighttime restriction that was imposed from Wednesday.

Further Accounts

• An official insider reportedly mentioned there had been accounts of over 500 dead, "perhaps 700-800 in the entire nation."
• The human rights organization said it had gathered reports that at least 100 civilians had been lost their lives.
• The opposition asserted their figures had been gathered by a team of activists visiting hospitals and health centers and "counting the deceased."

Calls for Action

The opposition called for the administration to "cease targeting our activists" and called for a interim government to facilitate free and fair votes.

"Halt police brutality. Uphold the voice of the citizens which is democratic rights," the official stated.

Authorities Reaction

Officials reacted by enforcing a restriction. Internet disruption were also noted, with global monitors reporting it was countrywide.

On Thursday, the army chief denounced the violence and called the activists "lawbreakers". The official announced security forces would attempt to contain the crisis.

International Response

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed it was "worried" by the fatalities and harm in the unrest, noting it had obtained information that at least 10 individuals had been slain by law enforcement.

The office mentioned it had obtained reliable reports of deaths in Dar es Salaam, in a northwestern region and an eastern area, with law enforcement firing live ammunition and teargas to disperse crowds.

Legal View

A civil rights lawyer remarked it was "unreasonable" for security agencies to use force, noting that the nation's leader "ought to cease deploying the police against the public."

"The president must listen to the citizens. The sentiment of the nation is that there was an unfair process … We are unable to elect a single contender," the advocate said.