Nairobi: The European Union (EU) has issued a statement expressing significant concerns regarding the recent presidential elections in Tanzania, following the announcement of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission of Tanzania and the Zanzibar Electoral Commission.
According to African Press Organization, the EU highlighted several troubling events that transpired on Election Day, which continue to unfold. These include incidences of violence, an internet shutdown, and reports of irregularities in the election process in certain areas. The EU is particularly alarmed by reliable reports indicating a large number of fatalities and significant injuries, urging Tanzanian authorities to exercise maximum restraint to protect human lives.
The EU also noted the lack of a level playing field leading up to the elections, citing reports of abductions, disappearances, and violence that restricted civic and democratic engagement. The EU has called for the immediate release of all detained politicians and stresses the importance of a transparent and fair trial for those arrested based on a sound legal framework. Furthermore, the EU demands swift and thorough investigations into all reported incidents of abductions, disappearances, and violence.