Tanzania’s electoral commission has tasked the United States to prove allegations it made on Wednesday, saying by-elections held on August 12 were marred by violence and intimidation.
In a statement published on its website on Wednesday, the US embassy in Dar es Salaam said the National Election Commission had refused to register opposition candidates and that they had been subject to police intimidation.
The embassy also cited unwarranted arrests of candidates and acts to suppress freedom of assembly and speech, reports Africa News.
“Such actions undermine the rights that Tanzania’s constitution guarantees its citizens and jeopardise peace, stability, and security in the country and throughout the region,” the embassy said.
The vote in question involved a parliamentary by-election in the northwestern region of Kigoma and 36 local races, according to The Citizen, an English-language Tanzanian daily.