…Protests erupt across major cities including Dar es Salaam after opposition exclusion triggers public outrage, police confrontations, and a nationwide curfew amid escalating political tensions.

DODOMA-(MaraviPost)-Tanzania descended into political turmoil on election day as protests broke out in Dar es Salaam and several other major cities following the disqualification of main opposition candidates from the presidential race.

The move, which many citizens and rights groups have described as undemocratic, sparked widespread anger and led to violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.

Crowds of protesters took to the streets demanding the reinstatement of opposition candidates and accusing the electoral commission of manipulating the process to favor the ruling party.

In Dar es Salaam, thousands of people gathered in defiance of police orders, chanting slogans calling for justice and free elections.

The demonstrations quickly turned chaotic as police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and mass arrests to disperse the angry crowds.

Similar scenes unfolded in Arusha, Mwanza, and Dodoma, where protesters blocked roads, burned tires, and clashed with law enforcement officers.

Authorities have since imposed a nationwide curfew in an attempt to restore order and prevent further escalation of violence.

The government also deployed military personnel in key urban centers, a move that has intensified public concern about the country’s political stability and human rights situation.

Opposition leaders, whose exclusion from the presidential race triggered the unrest, have condemned the government’s heavy-handed response and called for international intervention.

They argue that the disqualification of candidates violates Tanzania’s constitution and undermines the principles of democracy, transparency, and fair competition.

Human rights organizations across Africa have expressed alarm over the developments, warning that the crackdown on protesters could lead to further instability and loss of life.

Meanwhile, the government has defended its actions, insisting that the electoral process was conducted within the law and that the disqualifications were based on legitimate grounds.

As the curfew takes effect, streets remain tense, businesses are shuttered, and uncertainty looms over Tanzania’s political future.

Observers say the unfolding situation represents one of the most serious challenges to the country’s democratic institutions in recent years, with the potential to reshape the nation’s political landscape.

For now, Tanzanians wait anxiously — hoping for peace, dialogue, and a return to democratic normalcy after a day marked by violence, fear, and frustration.

The Maravi Post