Tanzania Election: Hassan Wins Disputed Vote amid Protest opposition claiming 700 dead

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been officially declared the winner of the country's presidential election, securing 97.66 percent of the vote. The result follows a disputed election day marked by chaos and violence after the main opposition rivals were excluded from the race.

The election and its aftermath triggered days of protests, leading to conflicting casualty reports and international condemnation. Chadema, the main opposition party, reported that "about 700" people had been killed, citing figures gathered from its network of hospitals and health clinics.

Conversely, the UN human rights office provided a more conservative but credible figure, stating that at least 10 people were killed in protests across three cities.

Tanzanian authorities have strongly rejected the opposition's death toll, with Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo denying that excessive force was used and labeling the 700 figure "hugely exaggerated." He confirmed the government has no official casualty figures yet.

In response to the allegations of excessive force and loss of life, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a "thorough and impartial investigation" into all allegations of misconduct.

Additionally, the foreign ministers of Britain, Canada, and Norway issued a joint statement urging Tanzanian authorities to exercise maximum restraint and respect the rights to assembly and free expression.

Amid the unrest, police imposed an overnight nationwide curfew and internet access has been disrupted since Wednesday's vote.