At least three people have been killed in Tanzania during the civic polls exercises that were held across the country on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
The Government declared the day a holiday so that residents could go and cast their ballots despite the fact that few people had registered to vote.
But the country’s main opposition party, the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) raised a red alert saying there are series of killings going on in the country, all allegedly targeting the opposition candidates.
According to the official statement from CHADEMA which released by the party’s director of protocol and communications, John Mrema, two of the party members were killed and others injured.
The incidents reportedly occurred in the early hours leading to the polling day, accusing the ruling party and the police for the attacks.
The main and oldest opposition party so far, also accused the Tanzanian authorities of rigging the vote.
From the statement, the opposition party reported that their candidate, George Juma Mohamed, of Singida, was shot dead.
CHADEMA says Juma was attacked by people who invaded his home in the late night of Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
However, the Police in Singida Region released a statement later saying they have arrested a prison warden who allegedly fired at the opposition leader, killing him instantly.
The Singida Regional Police Commander, Amon Daudi Kakwale insisted the shooting occurred during a scuffle between supporters of the ruling party and members of the opposition.
But in yet another incident, the opposition party reported that one of their representatives, Steven Chalamila, was attacked by a group of irate people who proceeded to hack the victim to death using machetes.
Another death was reported in the Gongolamboto area of Dar-Es-salaam where one of the candidates, Modestus G. Timbisimilwa was beaten to death, allegedly by the police.
According to CHADEMA, there have been a series of irregularities, including ballot-stuffing, being experienced before and during the voting exercises in seven constituencies across the nation.
There were also video clips making rounds on social media platforms showing some of the incidences surrounding the civic polls.
But the chairperson of the political parties’ council, Juma Khatib claimed that there were no irregularities in the polls and that people should ignore all video clips.
Freeman Mbowe, the leader of the opposition accused the ruling party of forcing victory even at the expense of people’s lives.
Civic polls in Tanzania are usually the prelude to the country’s General Elections with the forthcoming polls slated for October 2025.