Protests broke out after the publication of the controversial election results in Mozambique

Opposition supporters took to the streets in Mozambique’s capital late Thursday, burning tires and blocking key roads to protest the announcement that the ruling party’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, won the Oct. 9 election in a landslide.

Police said 371 people were arrested in connection with the protests and clashes across the country.

Dog teams, armored riot police vehicles and dozens of heavily armed officers, supported by a helicopter, engaged in constant battles with the demonstrators, while the smell of tear gas was strong in most parts of Maputo.

A spokesman for the Mozambique General Police Command, Orlando Mudumane, said people illegally led disorderly demonstrations on public streets, destroyed public and private property and looted goods from various commercial establishments.

He said officers would remain on the streets to contain violence and property damage.

Mudumane advised people to be wary of inflammatory speeches and misinformation on social media and other digital platforms.

Thursday’s protests followed earlier demonstrations in which hundreds of people poured onto the streets of Maputo and Matola to protest allegedly fraudulent election results.

The official results showed that Frelimo Party candidate Daniel Chapo won the election with more than 70% of the vote.

The runner-up, independent Venancio Mondlane, called for peaceful protests against the election results and issues such as kidnappings and police brutality.

Mondlane blames Frelimo for the murder of two people close to the opposition Podemos party: lawyer Elvino Dias and party official Paulo Guambe.

Mondlane called for a two-day shutdown in Mozambique and, in a speech posted on Facebook, demanded that all institutions, public and private, be paralyzed during this time.

Human Rights Watch researcher Zenaida Machado criticized police crackdowns on protesters, saying people have the right to protection when they raise their concerns, even as authorities work to maintain order.

“When the state sends security forces onto the streets, it must ensure that they are there not only to create space for people to peacefully protest, but also to protect them from anything that could interfere with the protest itself,” said Machado.

Observer missions from the European Union and the Southern African Development Community have not yet given a final assessment of the election.

However, the EU mission said this week that some of its 179 observers were prevented from observing tabulation processes in some districts and provinces, as well as at the national level.

The EU mission also said its observers observed “unwarranted changes” in election results at some polling stations.

The National Election Commission says it is investigating all cases of alleged misconduct in voting and vote counting.

The official results will not be final until confirmed by the Constitutional Council of Mozambique.