DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 2 -- THE days before, during and after an election are seldom calm. Across democracies, they tend to bring uncertainty, competing narratives and heightened emotion.

Tanzania was no exception. Incidents reported during and in the days following the October 29 General Election placed the countrys security organs under pressure to contain tension while upholding constitutional order.

A closer examination of events, viewed through the legal mandate and operational practice of the Tanzania Police Force (TPF), presents a more measured picture than that often conveyed amid political heat.

Rather than acting on impulse, policing during this period was guided by law, established procedure and an expanding emphasis on prevent...