Demands for post-poll justice as Tanzania accused of weaponising counterterrorism laws

Neema Munuo, whose 18-year-old daughter Maria Chami was shot dead on the day of the election, wants the government to acknowledge her suffering Families affected by election-related violence in Tanzania that led to the deaths of at least 500 people a year ago have told the BBC they want justice for those killed in the protests and help with medical expenses for those injured. "We can no longer afford to pay hospital bills," Meshack Sane, who was shot in the leg, told the BBC. On the eve of the anniversary of the poll that saw President Samia Suluhu Hassan elected with 98% of the vote, rights group Amnesty International also accused her government of "weaponising counterterrorism laws to silence critics and instil fear". The opposition dismissed the result as a "mockery" of democracy as Samia's two main challengers were excluded. Tundu Lissu, the 58-year-old leader of the main opposition Chadema party, had been put on trial for treason ahead of the poll - preventing him from standing. He had been demanding electoral reforms and a verdict in his case is due next week. Earlier this week, Lissu went on a hunger strike as he was not being allowed access to his lawyers - an allegation the prison authorities denied. His lawyer Dickson Matata told the BBC on Wednesday he had now been granted a meeting and would be eating again. In a classic tactic pulled out of the authoritarian playbook, the authorities are increasingly weaponising counterterrorism laws to silence critics and instil fear." The authorities in the East African nation have repeatedly denied accusations of widespread abuses and say the government is committed to respecting human rights. Samia, 66, has insisted the election was fair and transparent and blamed foreigners for the unrest, saying it was part of a plot to overthrow her. Last year, the BBC verified multiple videos of police shooting towards protesters. Footage posted online showed demonstrators being confronted . Meshack Sane says he has already had five operations on his injured leg - but cannot afford further treatment The BBC has since spoken to families of some of the victims of the electoral violence, who are still seeking answers. Many, like Mwajuma Hamisi, have been left destitute. Her husband George Kisivani was shot in the northern city of Arusha on , the day of the vote, and died two days later. "I lost my husband, upon whom we, a family with five children, depended.