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As per the leading rival faction, around 700 individuals have purportedly lost their lives during three days of voting demonstrations in the East African nation.

Clashes Breaks Out on Election Day

Unrest erupted on Wednesday over what protesters labeled the stifling of the rival camp after the exclusion of prominent candidates from the presidential race.

Fatality Estimates Reported

A opposition spokesperson stated that hundreds of people had been lost their lives since the protests started.

"At present, the death toll in the port city is about 350 and for another city it is more than 200. Including numbers from elsewhere throughout the nation, the overall figure is about 700," the official stated.

The spokesperson noted that the toll could be even larger because killings may be taking place during a night-time curfew that was enforced from Wednesday.

Further Accounts

• An official insider reportedly stated there had been information of more than 500 dead, "perhaps 700-800 in the entire nation."
• Amnesty International said it had obtained information that no fewer than 100 civilians had been slain.
• The opposition asserted their estimates had been collected by a network of supporters attending medical facilities and health clinics and "counting dead bodies."

Appeals for Change

The opposition urged the authorities to "cease harming our demonstrators" and demanded a caretaker administration to facilitate democratic elections.

"End violence. Respect the choice of the citizens which is fair elections," the official declared.

Authorities Measures

The government reacted by implementing a curfew. Online restrictions were also noted, with international observers stating it was across the nation.

On Thursday, the army chief denounced the clashes and labeled the protesters "lawbreakers". He stated security forces would try to manage the crisis.

International Concern

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed it was "worried" by the deaths and injuries in the demonstrations, noting it had obtained accounts that at least 10 civilians had been slain by authorities.

The organization stated it had received reliable information of fatalities in Dar es Salaam, in Shinyanga and an eastern area, with law enforcement discharging real bullets and chemical irritants to disperse protesters.

Expert Opinion

A civil rights lawyer stated it was "unacceptable" for security agencies to employ violence, stating that the country's leader "should avoid sending the law enforcement against the civilians."

"The president must listen to the public. The sentiment of the nation is that there was no election … We are unable to elect a single contender," the advocate commented.