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Per the main opposition faction, nearly 700 individuals have purportedly died during a three-day period of election-related clashes in the East African nation.

Unrest Breaks Out on Polling Day

Unrest commenced on Wednesday over claims that demonstrators called the stifling of the rival camp after the removal of prominent hopefuls from the election contest.

Death Estimates Claimed

An rival spokesperson announced that hundreds of civilians had been lost their lives since the demonstrations began.

"As we speak, the number of deaths in Dar es Salaam is approximately 350 and for another city it is more than 200. Added to numbers from elsewhere across the nation, the total figure is about 700," he stated.

He added that the toll could be even larger because killings may be happening during a nighttime restriction that was implemented from Wednesday.

Additional Estimates

• A official source allegedly mentioned there had been reports of over 500 dead, "perhaps 700-800 in the nationwide."
• The human rights organization said it had obtained reports that a minimum of 100 individuals had been lost their lives.
• Rival groups claimed their figures had been gathered by a group of supporters visiting hospitals and medical centers and "counting dead bodies."

Appeals for Intervention

The opposition called for the administration to "cease harming our demonstrators" and demanded a transitional government to pave the way for democratic polls.

"End excessive force. Honor the will of the citizens which is electoral justice," the official said.

Authorities Reaction

Authorities reacted by enforcing a restriction. Online restrictions were also observed, with global observers indicating it was across the nation.

On Thursday, the army chief denounced the clashes and referred to the protesters "criminals". The official stated security forces would attempt to contain the situation.

Global Response

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said it was "deeply concerned" by the deaths and injuries in the protests, noting it had obtained reports that at least 10 people had been killed by authorities.

The office mentioned it had received credible information of casualties in Dar es Salaam, in a northwestern region and Morogoro, with officials firing real bullets and teargas to break up crowds.

Legal Perspective

An human rights lawyer claimed it was "unacceptable" for authorities to use force, adding that the nation's president "ought to refrain from sending the police against the people."

"The president must heed the citizens. The mood of the country is that there was an unfair process … We cannot vote for one candidate," the advocate said.