Protests erupt in Tanzania over disputed presidential election

Tanzania has been thrown into turmoil after citizens took tothe streets to protest alleged irregularities in the country’s Wednesdaypresidential election. On Thursday, the electoral body announced that PresidentSamia Hassan had taken an early lead, garnering 96.99 percent of the votes ineight out of 272 constituencies tallied. Hassan’s two biggest challengers were excluded from therace, infuriating citizens and rights groups. They have long accused Hassan’s administration ofintensifying a crackdown against opposition members, activists, andjournalists. Protests began to build up in the East African country onWednesday after the elections, prompting authorities to restrict internetaccess 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 hadbeen killed in Dar es Salaam alone. On Thursday, the government asked public servants to workfrom home. CHADEMA, the main opposition party in Tanzania, condemnedthe election, saying it did not meet democratic standards. The party referred to the polls as a “coronation” ratherthan a genuine vote. CHADEMA boycotted the election after its leader Tundu Lissuwas imprisoned ahead of the polls. Lissu is facing treason charges after calling for electoralreforms. Luhaga Mpina, the presidential candidate for the Alliancefor Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo), the second-largest opposing party,was disqualified by the electoral umpire.

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