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According to the main opposition party, around 700 civilians have reportedly perished during three days of poll-related protests in the East African nation.

Clashes Breaks Out on Election Day

Demonstrations commenced on election day over what activists called the suppression of the opposition after the disqualification of key candidates from the presidential race.

Fatality Estimates Claimed

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

"As we speak, the number of deaths in the port city is about 350 and for Mwanza it is more than 200. Including estimates from other regions across the country, the overall figure is nearly 700," the spokesperson stated.

He noted that the number could be significantly greater because deaths could be occurring during a night-time curfew that was enforced from election day.

Additional Estimates

• A security insider supposedly mentioned there had been accounts of over 500 fatalities, "perhaps 700-800 in the entire nation."
• Amnesty International stated it had gathered information that a minimum of 100 people had been killed.
• Rival groups stated their estimates had been collected by a network of activists visiting hospitals and health centers and "tallying dead bodies."

Appeals for Intervention

The opposition called for the government to "stop targeting our demonstrators" and demanded a caretaker government to pave the way for democratic polls.

"End police brutality. Honor the will of the citizens which is fair elections," the spokesperson said.

Authorities Measures

The government reacted by enforcing a lockdown. Internet disruption were also noted, with global observers reporting it was nationwide.

On Thursday, the military leader condemned the clashes and called the protesters "offenders". The official announced law enforcement would seek to manage the situation.

International Response

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated it was "deeply concerned" by the fatalities and harm in the unrest, adding it had received information that at least 10 people had been slain by authorities.

The office reported it had received trustworthy information of casualties in the port city, in Shinyanga and an eastern area, with security forces discharging live ammunition and teargas to break up demonstrators.

Expert View

An human rights lawyer stated it was "unjustified" for security agencies to employ violence, adding that the nation's president "ought to refrain from using the police against the people."

"The president should pay attention to the people. The feeling of the nation is that there was no fair vote … We are unable to elect only one option," the advocate said.