The United Nations has called for thorough investigations into the killings that dogged Tanzania’s general elections held on October 29, citing reports that police are removing bodies to conceal evidence.

It also advocated fair trial for those arrested after the election, including children, facing treason trial.

UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, in a statement on Tuesday, said, “Information obtained by the UN Human Rights Office from different sources in Tanzania suggests hundreds of protesters and other people were killed and an unknown number injured or detained.”

Stating that the UN human rights office had yet to verify the number of those killed during the election, Mr Türk said, “There are also disturbing reports that security forces have been seen removing bodies from streets and hospitals and taking them to undisclosed locations in an apparent attempt to conceal evidence.”

Condemning arbitrary detention of political opposition leader, the UN human rights chief called for “unconditional release of all opposition figures arrested before the general elections , including opposition Chadema party leader Tundu Lissu, and all other individuals who have been arbitrarily detained since election day.”

He added that over 150 people had been arrested since the election, noting that the legal basis for the action was unclear.

He stated, “Many of them, including children, have allegedly been charged with treason. It is essential that all those arrested or detained on criminal charges are promptly presented before a judicial officer, and can effectively contest the lawfulness of their detention. All those detained must be afforded the full range of due process rights guaranteed under international human rights law.”

Reactions continueto trail Tanzania election won by President Samia Hassan, who polled 98 per cent of votes, according to Tanzania’s Independent National Electoral Commission.

The CHADEMA opposition party, whose candidate, Mr Lissu, was barred from the election, said about 700 people were killed during the election, vowing not to recognise Mrs Hassan as President.

The African Union Election Observation Mission said the election was not credible.

The European Union, the Southern African Development Committee Electoral Observation, the UK, Canadian and Norwegian missions in Tanzania also condemned what they termed, “large number of fatalities,” internet shutdown, disqualification of opposition candidates and brutal clampdown on protesters during the election.