Olushola Omogbehin
Tanzania‘s authorities have imposed a curfew in Dar es Salaam, the nation’s biggest city, following violent clashes between the police and protesters on election day.
Protests broke out in Dar es Salaam and many other cities during the vote on Wednesday, with demonstrators angered by the exclusion of President Samia Suluhu Hassan‘s two biggest challengers from the presidential race, as well as increasing repression of other opposition and government critics.
Sources at the city’s Muhimbili Hospital told the BBC they had seen an influx of wounded patients, as Tanzanians voted in presidential and parliamentary elections.
The protesters, who want electoral reforms and free political activity, set fire to vehicles and caused extensive damage to public infrastructure.
In order to manage the situation, Tanzania’s chief of police, Camelius Wambura, declared that curfew would start at 18:00 local time (15:00 GMT) and urged people to stay indoors. He did not say when the restrictions will be lifted.
Meanwhile, Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Alfred Chalamila had warned earlier that the government would take strong action against those disrupting peace in the city as demonstrations were already reported in the south-western city of Mbeya and the border town of Tunduma.
“We are tired… We want an independent electoral commission so that every Tanzanian can choose the leader they want,” a protester told the BBC.
Along with the unrest of the streets, internet connectivity across the country has been severely disrupted. Global internet monitor NetBlocks described the interruption a “nationwide digital blackout”.
Voters’ turnout in Dar es Salaam was low when polls opened on Wednesday, with many hesitant to show up amid safety concerns but police spokesperson had assured the public that there was no threat to their safety, saying “people should come out and vote”, according to a message posted on social media.
More than 37 million registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the presidential and parliamentary election in the sixteen parties cleared to contest against President Samia, who is seeking a second term.
Samia’s ruling party, CCM, has dominated the country’s politics and has never lost an election since independence and the only serious contender in the last election, Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo party, was disqualified on legal technicalities.
Samia came into office in 2021 as Tanzania’s first female president following the death of President John Magufuli.
The electoral body is expected to announce results in three days after voting ends.
