Burundi
- Boundary Delimitation
- Direct Democracy
- Electoral Management
- Electoral Systems
- Legislative Framework
- Media and Elections
- Parties and Candidates
- Vote Counting
- Voter Education
- Voting Operations
- Voter Registration
Boundary Delimitation
BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
b. No, existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used
Source: Art.115 of the 2005 transition electoral code Benoit Muhimuzi, Programme Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2008-04-25 10:15:15 UTC
BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
h. Not applicable
Comments: existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Programme Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2007-01-03 12:50:18 UTC
BD05 The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
b. Executive
Comments: The Ministry of Interior and Security is the only one in charge of geographically maps and boundaries through The department of Population.
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Programme Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2008-04-25 10:15:15 UTC
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
b. Full Address Bujumbura
c. Telephone +257 22 22 28 99
d. Facsimile +257 22 24 53 51
e. Email mbonabucat@yahoo.fr
f. Website Address http://www.burundi-gov.bi/
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Venant Kamana
h. Information Officer Térence Mbonabuca: Directeur Général de l'Administration du Térritoire
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections French
Comments: From a while the Independent National Electoral Commission was disolved. The next election is to be orgonized under the responsability of the Minstry of the Interior and Communal Development.
Source: Mr. Térencen Mbonabuca: Directeur Général de l'Administration du Térritoire http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/bur6.htm
Last updated: 2008-04-25 10:04:04 UTC
EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
b. Regional level
c. Local level
Comments: The next election is to be orgonized under the responsability of the Minstry of the Interior and Communal Development.
Source: Art.1 of the 2005 transition electoral code
Last updated: 2008-04-25 09:48:19 UTC
EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
c. The legislature
g. Other
Comments: The parliament votes laws and controls the Government actions assisted by the Account Court.
Source: Art. 158, 178 of February 2005 Constitution
Last updated: 2008-04-25 09:59:49 UTC
EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
c. For an unspecified period
Comments: no clear for now. From a while the Independent National Electoral Commission was disolved. The next election is to be orgonized under the responsability of the Minstry of the Interior and Communal Development.
Source: Térence Mbonabuca: Directeur Général de l'Administration du Térritoire
Last updated: 2008-04-25 10:04:04 UTC
EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?
Last updated: 2008-01-30 15:15:11 UTC
EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
Last updated: 2008-01-30 15:15:11 UTC
Electoral Systems
ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
a. Head of State is the Head of Government
b. Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)
Comments: The President is Head of State. The tenure of office is five years and the President is eligible for one re-election.The President is elected by universal suffrage with absolute majority
Source: Art 95, 96, 129 of the February 2005 Constitution http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/bur5.htm
Last updated: 2008-04-25 09:21:44 UTC
ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
f. Other
Comments: The Head of State is the Head of Government
Source: Art. 129 of the February 2005 Constitution http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/bur5.htm
Last updated: 2008-04-25 09:21:44 UTC
ES03 Does the country have a president?
a. Yes
Comments: President and Head of Government: Pierre Nkurunziza.
Source: http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/bur6.htm
Last updated: 2008-04-15 10:12:28 UTC
ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
b. Two chambers
Comments: The legislature comprises a bicameral Parliament, which consists of the National Assembly and the Senate.
Source: Art. 147 of the February 2005 Constitution http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/bur6.htm
Last updated: 2008-04-25 09:21:44 UTC
ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
a. Plurality (FPTP)
g. List Proportional Representation
j. Other
Comments: Parliamentary Elections: proportionality, multiparty elections, closed lists. 30 % of seats allocated to women; 60 % Hutu, 40 % Tutsi; 3 Twa members co-opted.
Source: http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/bur4.htm
Last updated: 2008-04-25 09:21:44 UTC
ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
Last updated: 2008-01-29 12:16:09 UTC
Legislative Framework
LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
b. Separate legislation
Comments: Both Constitutiton and the Electoral law govern national elections
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Programme Officer, EISA in Burundi Code électoral de la transistion de l'an 2000
Last updated: 2008-04-25 09:41:06 UTC
LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
b. Regional elections
c. Local elections
d. Referendums
Comments: The Art. 1 of the Electoral Code covers the Presidential Elections, Legislative Elections, Local elctions and Referenda.
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Programme Officer, EISA in Burundi Art.1 of the 2005 transition electoral code
Last updated: 2008-04-25 09:41:06 UTC
LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary
Source: International IDEA Voter Turnout Website (http://www.idea.int/vt/) Art.2 of the 2005 transition electoral code
Last updated: 2008-04-25 09:41:06 UTC
Media and Elections
ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Benoit Muhimuzi
b. Job Title: Program Officer
c. Organisation: EISA in Burundi
g. Email: benoit@eisa.org.za
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:09:27 UTC
ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:09:27 UTC
ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster?
Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:09:27 UTC
ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:09:27 UTC
ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:09:27 UTC
ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:09:27 UTC
ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2008-01-30 11:02:47 UTC
ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
b. The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising X
Comments: The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:09:27 UTC
ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:09:27 UTC
ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:09:27 UTC
ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:09:27 UTC
ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:09:27 UTC
ME59 Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
a. Yes, in presidential elections
b. Yes, in legislative elections
Comments: a, b) Party representatives
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:09:27 UTC
ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:09:27 UTC
Parties and Candidates
PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
e. Minimum number of candidates
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:05:30 UTC
PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
c. Regional distribution requirement
e. Minimum number of candidates
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:05:30 UTC
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
d. Residence
f. Registration
h. Minimum level of education
Comments: a) 25 years
Source: Art.136 du code électorale de l'an 2000
Last updated: 2008-01-30 15:48:52 UTC
PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
d. Residence
f. Registration
h. Minimum level of education
Comments: a) 35 years
Source: Art.169 code électorale de l'an 2000
Last updated: 2008-01-30 16:10:26 UTC
PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
e. In both presidential and legislative elections
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:05:30 UTC
PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct
c. Indirect
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:11:10 UTC
PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
c. Based on current legislative representation
d. Based on number of candidates put forward in present election
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:05:30 UTC
Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations
Comments: Le bureau de vote se transforme en bureau de dépouillement
Source: Art.65 du code électoral 2000
Last updated: 2008-01-30 16:13:24 UTC
VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
d. By request
e. Court order
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:06:58 UTC
Voter Education
VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body
g. NGOs/ Civic Organizations
i. Media
Comments: a) At a certain level due to the constraints of time. g) EISA was in charge to reach population nationwide for voter education. EISA worked with the EMB, the Civic Organizations, the political parties and ONUB (United Nation Operation in Burundi). i) Media also played a big role in voter education through what EISA called synergy of medias which mobilized all radio stations, TV and newspapers to be implicated in the process.
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2007-01-03 12:56:43 UTC
VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
b. Election time only
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2007-01-03 12:56:22 UTC
VE03 Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
a. No
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2007-01-03 12:56:22 UTC
Voting Operations
VO03 Where can electors vote?
d. At specially designated polling stations
Source: Art.41 du Code électoral 2000
Last updated: 2008-01-30 15:31:53 UTC
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
b. Citizens residing outside the country
c. Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation)
e. Students
f. Diplomatic staff
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:02:45 UTC
VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
a. Embassies
b. Consulates
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:02:45 UTC
VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
Last updated: 2007-01-03 13:02:45 UTC
VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot
Comments: Sous enveloppes cachetées et paraphées
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi Art.38 du code électoral de l'an 2000
Last updated: 2008-01-30 15:40:58 UTC
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
e. 20
Comments: 18 years old
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi Art.4 of the February 2005 electoral code
Last updated: 2008-04-25 10:28:22 UTC
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
Source: Benoit Muhimuzi, Program Officer, EISA in Burundi Art.4 of the February 2005 electoral code
Last updated: 2008-04-25 10:28:22 UTC
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
a. Central Government Department (specify)
Comments: The Minister of the Interior and the Communal Development
Source: Art.13 of the February 2005 electoral code
Last updated: 2008-04-25 10:28:22 UTC
20/05/2008 07:18
