Violence Erupts in Ol Kalou By-Election as Armed Men Terrorise Voters

Armed, hooded men driving sport utility vehicles disrupted voting during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election on Thursday, firing shots into the air and moving through areas near polling stations, forcing voters, residents and journalists to flee for safety.

The violence broke out after voting had begun peacefully, turning parts of the town into scenes of panic. Videos shared on social media show masked men carrying weapons as they moved through the streets. In one video, a man carrying a heavy rungu disperses a crowd before jumping into a moving SUV. 

Another shows a gunman standing on the roof of a vehicle and firing towards a group of people, while additional shots are fired from inside the moving vehicle. Residents can be heard urging one another to stay quiet and remain out of sight.

A separate incident was reported near St Joseph's Catholic Comprehensive School polling centre. Journalist Enos Teche said masked men arrived in a Prado, fired tear gas and discharged gunshots before confronting him. He said the group surrounded him, questioned him, assaulted him and seized his equipment. 

Teche sustained injuries after being struck several times, having his hand twisted and being hit in the leg by a tear gas canister.