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Based on the primary rival faction, roughly 700 citizens have purportedly perished during a three-day period of poll-related clashes in the East African nation.

Unrest Erupts on Polling Day

Demonstrations broke out on election day over what protesters described as the stifling of the rival camp after the removal of key hopefuls from the presidential ballot.

Fatality Figures Reported

An rival spokesperson announced that scores of people had been slain since the unrest started.

"As we speak, the number of deaths in the port city is about 350 and for another city it is 200-plus. Added to estimates from other places across the country, the final number is approximately 700," the official said.

He added that the death count could be significantly greater because fatalities may be taking place during a evening lockdown that was enforced from election day.

Other Reports

• An official source allegedly claimed there had been information of over 500 fatalities, "possibly 700-800 in the whole country."
• The human rights organization reported it had received data that at least 100 civilians had been killed.
• The opposition stated their estimates had been gathered by a network of activists going to medical facilities and health clinics and "tallying the deceased."

Demands for Action

The opposition urged the authorities to "halt harming our activists" and demanded a interim government to pave the way for just and transparent elections.

"Halt violence. Uphold the will of the people which is electoral justice," the official said.

Government Reaction

Authorities responded by implementing a lockdown. Online restrictions were also reported, with global monitors reporting it was countrywide.

On Thursday, the army chief denounced the clashes and labeled the activists "offenders". He announced authorities would try to control the crisis.

Global Reaction

The UN human rights office said it was "alarmed" by the deaths and injuries in the demonstrations, noting it had obtained reports that at least 10 individuals had been slain by law enforcement.

The organization mentioned it had obtained trustworthy reports of deaths in Dar es Salaam, in a northwestern region and Morogoro, with law enforcement discharging real bullets and chemical irritants to break up crowds.

Legal View

An civil rights lawyer remarked it was "unjustified" for security agencies to employ violence, adding that the nation's president "must cease sending the law enforcement against the civilians."

"She needs to pay attention to the people. The feeling of the country is that there was no fair vote … The people cannot vote for a single contender," the advocate commented.