Hundreds of demonstrators faced off with police in Tanzania’s commercial capital Friday to demand the national electoral body stop announcing election results that have sparked protests, leading to the deployment of the military and an internet shutdown.
Voters verify their names before voting during the general elections at Mpendaye polling station in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Wednesday, Oct.
People line up to cast their votes during the general elections at Kwahani polling station in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Wednesday, Oct.
A woman casts her vote during the general elections at Mpendaye polling station in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Wednesday, Oct.
A man casts his vote during the general elections at Mpendaye polling station in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Wednesday, Oct.
People wait to cast their votes during the general elections at Mpendaye polling station in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Wednesday, Oct.
NAIROBI, Kenya () — Tanzania ‘s presidential election teetered toward chaos on Wednesday as protests erupted, the military was deployed, internet service was cut and a curfew was announced in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
Critics of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who seeks a second term, and the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party that’s ruled since independence in 1961 went into the streets to protest the harassment of opposition leaders, asserting that it had limited the election choices.
Embassy issued a security alert citing “country-wide” protests in the east African nation.
Tanzania’s inspector general of police, Camillus Wambura, announced the curfew in Dar es Salaam as of 6 p.m. After hundreds of protesters in the Kimara and Ubungo neighborhoods set a bus and a gas station ablaze.
Local media reported protests in Magomeni, Kinondoni and Tandale neighborhoods, with polling stations vandalized in districts outside the capital of Dodoma including Arusha and Mbeya.
The military was seen deployed in Dodoma and Zanzibar, including along streets where media organizations are located.
Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila told journalists that security agencies were ready to deal with any “disruptors of peace.”.
The political importance lies in whether the issue moves from public comment into formal action, party response, court record, election authority notice or administrative decision.
