Mozambique police fired tear gas and gunshots at demonstrators in the city, Maputo, who had gathered near the spot where two opposition party figures were killed following a contested election.
The director of Mozambique’s Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, Adriano Nuvunga, reported that two journalists and a security guard were shot at but not gravely injured.
The full results of Mozambique’s Oct. 9 national election are expected this week, with early results showing that the ruling party Frelimo is set for another win.
But Opposition candidates say the poll was rigged.
Frelimo has dominated the southern African country since 1975, and opposition politicians, civic society, and election monitors have accused it of electoral fraud, which it denies.
U.S.-based observers said the poll did not meet international standards for democratic elections, noting reports of vote buying, intimidation, inflated voter rolls and other issues.
Several hundred people took part in the protest, with some burning red Frelimo flags in the street and throwing rocks.
Mozambican police have previously used live bullets at political protests, notably last year, when they justified the use of force as a necessary means of suppressing unrest.
Venancio Mondlane, an independent presidential candidate, stated that a national strike was well observed on Monday and urged demonstrators to return home following conflicts with police.
Many shops in Maputo were closed, and the streets were silent.
