Tanzania has been thrown into turmoil after citizens took to the streets to protest alleged irregularities in the country’s Wednesday presidential election.
On Thursday, the electoral body announced that President
Samia Hassan had taken an early lead, garnering 96.99 percent of the votes in
eight out of 272 constituencies tallied.
Hassan’s two biggest challengers were excluded from the
race, infuriating citizens and rights groups.
They have long accused Hassan’s administration of
intensifying a crackdown against opposition members, activists, and
journalists.
Protests began to build up in the East African country on
Wednesday after the elections, prompting authorities to restrict internet
access and declare a curfew in Dar es Salaam, the capital city.
The military was also deployed to the streets.
There were unconfirmed reports that at least 10 people had
been killed in Dar es Salaam alone.
On Thursday, the government asked public servants to work
from home.
CHADEMA, the main opposition party in Tanzania, condemned
the election, saying it did not meet democratic standards.
The party referred to the polls as a “coronation” rather
than a genuine vote.
CHADEMA boycotted the election after its leader Tundu Lissu
was imprisoned ahead of the polls.
Lissu is facing treason charges after calling for electoral
reforms.
Luhaga Mpina, the presidential candidate for the Alliance
for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo), the second-largest opposing party,
was disqualified by the electoral umpire.
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