The government has remained mum on the actual number of people killed, with Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba denying reports that protesters were killed in their thousands.
Former Prime Minister, Joseph Warioba, has stated that the reports are believable, because images that have been shared so far prove that very many fatalities were caused.
Warioba, who also served as the country's Vice President, says the only way for the government to clear itself is by giving the actual number, after deploying armed officers against unarmed protesters.
"Here you are dealing with young people who do not have modern weapons while you have shotguns.
Now let them announce yes, we can decide if the force used was really justified," he said in an interview with Jamhuri Newspaper's Manyerere Jackton.
The former leader further noted that the government had been preparing police and military officers for the protests for close to 2 years, by being pressured to ensure no protests emerge.
"As ordinary people who are seeing the happenings, we determine the situation by seeing the number of deaths and it is high."
"If you have been keen, for about two years the security and defense agencies were being told to prepare to oversee the electoral process and ensure that it is free, fair and peaceful."
His remarks come only days after his meeting with President Samia Suluhu at the Chamwino State House in Dodoma.
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