At least seven killed in Tanzania poll unrest

A major opposition party in Tanzania has accused police of fatally shooting at least seven people amid unrest over alleged fraud on the eve of the country’s presidential election.

The ACTWaza len do party also said police in the semi-autonomous island region arrested its Zanzibar presidential candidate, Maalim Se if Sharif Hamad. A police official in Zanzibar city confirmed the arrest.

Police in Pemba city, however, did not comment on the ACT Wazalendo allegation that officers opened fire on Monday evening.

Tanzania's inspector general of police, Simon Sirro, later denied any deaths to rep or ters. He said some residents had been throwing rocks, and 42 were arrested.

ACT Wazalendo at first said three people were killed, but Pa vu Ju ma Abdalla, the par t y's dep - u ty secretary for human rights, said the toll had risen to seven.

She said more than 100 people had been arrested.