Burundi Seeks Praise After Holding Election

Polling stations have closed and vote counting has started in Burundi’s controversial presidential elections, in which incumbent Pierre Nkurunziza is widely expected to win a third consecutive term. The electoral commission said the names of opposition candidates are still on the ballot and their votes will be tallied in the official count.

Mr Nkurunziza is expected to win the election after some opposition groups boycotted the poll. Kirby said the “fragile progress” made since the end of the civil war in 2006 is at risk of unravelling.

“The legitimacy of the electoral process in Burundi over the past few months has been tainted by the government’s harassment of opposition and civil society members, closing down of media outlets and political space and intimidation of voters”.

President Nkurunziza is running for a third term despite a limit of two terms in the constitution.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for calm, asking all sides to “refrain from any acts of violence that could compromise the stability of Burundi and the region”.

More than 160,000 Burundians have fled to neighbouring countries, with many of them saying they feared attacks by the ruling party’s youth wing, the Imbonerakure.

In mid-May, rebel generals attempted to overthrow Nkurunziza in a coup. He said some countries do not even hold elections.

At least four of Nkurunziza’s eight opponents in the vote, including the main opposition leader Agathon Rwasa, withdrew their candidacy, citing a lack of freedom to campaign. “For the sake of Burundi, the idea of a government of national unity can be accepted”, he said, adding that he would demand new elections, possibly in a year.

The conflict also risks drawing in neighbouring states – much like in the war-torn east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.