Lebanon on Sunday began the first stage of long-delayed municipal elections, the first vote since a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah and after a new national government was formed. Watch for more details

Municipal elections held in Hezbollah-held areas in Lebanon

Tanzanian opposition party Chadema on Wednesday said three of its members were killed in incidents linked to local elections and accused the authorities of rigging the vote.

Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe said on X that one of its candidates, Modestus Timbisimilwa, was shot dead by police in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam as he attempted to stop "fake and invalid ballots" being delivered to a polling station.

Chadema said another candidate, George Juma Mohamed, was also shot dead at his home in Mkese in central Tanzania the night before.

Police said the death occurred when a group of prison officers was called in to deal with a clash between supporters of Chadema and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and fired "warning shots".

Another Chadema official, Steven Chalamila, was killed in a machete attack at his home in Tunduma near the border with Zambia, also late on Tuesday, according to the party.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-155-killed-in-tanzania-as-heavy-rains-lash-east-africa-714943">Also read:&nbsp;At least 155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains lash East Africa</a>

"The nation has once again witnessed blatant and shameful misconduct from all levels of the government authorities, colluding to secure disgraceful victories for the CCM and its candidates, even at the cost of Tanzanian lives," said Mbowe on X.

He said there were numerous reports of beatings and arrests of its candidates and supporters across the country as they sought to prevent the use of fake and invalid ballots.

An AFP journalist in the western city of Kigoma saw voters clashing over alleged fake ballots, leading to arrests.

"We believe these acts are being carried out with the directives and full blessings of (President Samia Suluhu Hassan) and her government," said Mbowe.

Watch |&nbsp;China, Tanzania hold joint military drill in backdrop of anti-terror operations

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Tanzania is electing more than 80,000 local leaders, who wield considerable power in the East African nation.

It is a key test for the parties and the country's democratic institutions ahead of a presidential election next October.

"We are electing local leaders who are also important campaigners during the general election," Chadema's director of communication and foreign affairs John Mrema told AFP on Tuesday.

Hassan's CCM has been a dominant force for decades.

It has been accused of increased repression in the run-up to the vote, with Chadema saying many of its candidates were unfairly disqualified.&nbsp;

Hassan took office after the sudden death of her authoritarian predecessor John Magufuli in 2021.

She was initially feted for easing restrictions that Magufuli had imposed on the opposition and the media in the country of around 67 million people.

But rights groups and Western governments have criticised what they see as renewed repression ahead of the elections, with opposition politicians facing frequent arrests, as well as abductions and murder.

Chadema boycotted the last local elections polls in 2019 citing violence and intimidation, allowing a clean sweep for the CCM.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Tanzanian opposition party Chadema on Wednesday said three of its members were killed in incidents linked to local elections and accused the authorities of rigging the vote.

Tanzanian opposition party Chadema on Wednesday said three of its members were killed in incidents linked to local elections and accused the authorities of rigging the vote. Chadema chairman Freeman Mbowe said on X that one of its candidates, Modestus Timbisimilwa, was shot dead by police in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam as he attempted to stop "fake and invalid ballots" being delivered to a polling station. Chadema said another candidate, George Juma Mohamed, was also shot dead at his home in Mkese in central Tanzania the night before. Police said the death occurred when a group of prison officers was called in to deal with a clash between supporters of Chadema and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and fired "warning shots". Another Chadema official, Steven Chalamila, was killed in a machete attack at his home in Tunduma near the border with Zambia, also late on Tuesday, according to the party. Also read: At least 155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains lash East Africa "The nation has once again witnessed blatant and shameful misconduct from all levels of the government authorities, colluding to secure disgraceful victories for the CCM and its candidates, even at the cost of Tanzanian lives," said Mbowe on X. He said there were numerous reports of beatings and arrests of its candidates and supporters across the country as they sought to prevent the use of fake and invalid ballots. An AFP journalist in the western city of Kigoma saw voters clashing over alleged fake ballots, leading to arrests. "We believe these acts are being carried out with the directives and full blessings of (President Samia Suluhu Hassan) and her government," said Mbowe. Watch | China, Tanzania hold joint military drill in backdrop of anti-terror operations × Tanzania is electing more than 80,000 local leaders, who wield considerable power in the East African nation. It is a key test for the parties and the country's democratic institutions ahead of a presidential election next October. "We are electing local leaders who are also important campaigners during the general election," Chadema's director of communication and foreign affairs John Mrema told AFP on Tuesday. Hassan's CCM has been a dominant force for decades. It has been accused of increased repression in the run-up to the vote, with Chadema saying many of its candidates were unfairly disqualified. Hassan took office after the sudden death of her authoritarian predecessor John Magufuli in 2021. She was initially feted for easing restrictions that Magufuli had imposed on the opposition and the media in the country of around 67 million people. But rights groups and Western governments have criticised what they see as renewed repression ahead of the elections, with opposition politicians facing frequent arrests, as well as abductions and murder. Chadema boycotted the last local elections polls in 2019 citing violence and intimidation, allowing a clean sweep for the CCM. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Three opposition candidates killed as Tanzania holds local election

Bruised and fractured by Recep Tayyip Erdogan's victory in 2023 general elections, Turkey's opposition aims to land a blow in Sunday's local polls, with the future of its biggest hope, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, tied to the outcome.

Turkey opposition aims to hit back at Erdogan in local elections

Britain’s leading Conservative Party has lost ground in local elections to Labour and other parties in early results from across England.

Trouble for Tories predicted in early results of England's local elections

Here we bring you latest updates from the United Kingdom, voters across the country will head to the polls to choose their local decision makers on Thursday. These elections will be held for all London bar councils.

UK local election: Big test for Boris Johnson; voters distressed by 'partygate', cost of living

According to a latest opinion poll, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative party will lose nearly 550 seats in the upcoming local elections. It would be the worst showing since Tony Blair was Labour leader in the 1990s.

UK Local Election: Survey predicts heaviest losses for Tories in years

Survey: Tories 'set to lose 550 seats' in UK local elections

Taiwan Premier William Lai said on Saturday he had offered his resignation to the president after the ruling Democratic Progressive Party was trounced in mayoral elections.

"The election results showed that people are not satisfied. For this, I feel sorry, and have offered my resignation to President Tsai Ing-wen to accept political responsibility," he wrote in a statement on his Facebook page.

Taiwan`s pro-independence ruling Democratic Progressive Party on Saturday admitted defeat in the mayoral election in Taiwan`s second-largest city of Taichung.

Mayor Lin Chia-lung conceded defeat to his challenger from the China-friendly opposition Kuomintang Party, Lu Shiow-yen, in comments carried live on Taiwanese television channels.

Taiwan Premier William Lai said on Saturday he had offered his resignation to the president after the ruling Democratic Progressive Party was trounced in mayoral elections.

Taiwan Premier William Lai said on Saturday he had offered his resignation to the president after the ruling Democratic Progressive Party was trounced in mayoral elections. "The election results showed that people are not satisfied. For this, I feel sorry, and have offered my resignation to President Tsai Ing-wen to accept political responsibility," he wrote in a statement on his Facebook page. Taiwan`s pro-independence ruling Democratic Progressive Party on Saturday admitted defeat in the mayoral election in Taiwan`s second-largest city of Taichung. Mayor Lin Chia-lung conceded defeat to his challenger from the China-friendly opposition Kuomintang Party, Lu Shiow-yen, in comments carried live on Taiwanese television channels.

Taiwan premier offers resignation after local election trouncing

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