Breaking News: Tanzania Election Protests Turn Deadly

At least 700 people have been killed in three days of election protests in Tanzania, according to the main opposition party. The Chadema party spokesperson, John Kitoka, confirmed the toll, stating that hundreds of people have been killed since election day on Wednesday. The deaths are reported in major cities, including Dar es Salaam, where the figure is around 350, and Mwanza, where it is over 200.

Protests erupted on Wednesday after the exclusion of key presidential candidates from the ballot, with demonstrators taking to the streets to express their discontent. The opposition party claims that the government's actions have stifled their chances of winning the election. Riot police officers have been deployed to maintain order, but their efforts have been met with resistance from protesters.

The government has imposed a night-time curfew in an effort to quell the unrest, but opposition leaders claim that this has only led to more killings. The opposition party has called for an investigation into the deaths and for the government to take responsibility for the violence.

The background to the protests lies in the country's electoral system, which has been criticized for being restrictive. The opposition party had been expecting a level playing field, but the exclusion of key candidates has led to widespread discontent.

As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is watching with concern. The United Nations has called for calm and restraint, while the African Union has urged the government to respect the rights of its citizens. The opposition party has vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met.