News

Burundi election

Burundi's former Hutu rebel group have won a parliamentary majority after Monday's elections, officials say.

Burundi ex-rebel leader Agathon Rwasa to contest poll, BBC News (2009)

The leader of National Liberation Forces, the last active rebel group to disarm, Agathon Rwasa has been chosen by his party to be a presidential candidate in the upcoming 2010 presidential election.

Burundi's presidential election to be held on 28 June 2010, Afrique en ligne (2009)

The National Independent Election Commission announced the dates for the 2010 presidential and parliamentary polls. The first round of the presidential election will be held on June 28, 2010 while the MPs will be elected on July 23 and the Senators on July 28.

Burundi elections: EAC must help out, The East African (2010)

This article discusses the challenges that Burundi has to face this year, as it prepares to hold its elections, with the Independent Electoral Commission established only a year ago, and it argues for the much needed help from the East African Community in order to ensure the elections are free, fair and peaceful.

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Burundi: Coming soon: An EA electoral commission..., the EastAfrican (2010)

Possibility for East Africa to have a regional electoral commission.

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Burundi: Ex-Minister Nyangoma to run for president, afriquejet.com (2010)

Leonard Nyangoma, Burundi's former Minister of Civil Service, Labour and Social Security, announced Sunday evening that he would be a candidate in the presidential election slated for 28 June 2010.

Burundi leader to run for presidency again, Washington Post (2010)

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza will run for another five-year term as leader after his ruling CNDD-FDD party picked him Saturday as its candidate for the election later this year.

Burundi gets 16th candidate for Presidential Polls, Afrique en ligne (2010)

The nomination of Joseph Karumba as the presidential candidate of the National Liberation Front (FROLINA) in Burundi has brought to 16 the number of candidates for the 28 June presidential election in the country.

Violence Mars Burundi Election Effort, VOA (2010)

This article focuses on the escalating political violence surrounding the upcoming elections. There will be a series of votes in Burundi beginning Friday and continuing into early September.

Burundi faces major test as poll season begins, Daily Nation (2010)

This article discusses the political violence surrounding the election campaigns in Burundi. The watchdog Human Rights Watch released a report on the threat the violence poses to the upcoming elections.

Burundi expels Human Rights Watch representative, Reuters (2010)

This article discusses the expulsion of a member of Human Rights Watch from Burundi following comments she made that were critical of party reactions to the political violence surrounding the election campaigns.

Burundi enters high-stakes election, Times Live (2010)

This article discusses the implications of the series of elections that begins this Friday and extend until the legislative elections in July. (From AFP)

Burundi delays district polls to Sunday, Reuters (2010)

Elections scheduled to begin today, the first in a series of votes continuing through September, were postponed due to logistical problems with ballot papers.

Delayed Burundi Vote Monday, VOA (2010)

Elections in Burundi originally scheduled to begin on Friday were postponed due to logistical problems. A sufficient number of voting cards are now available and voting will begin on Monday.

High turnout for Burundian polls, UN official says, UN News Centre (2010)

This article discusses the high voter turnout and mostly peaceful proceedings as Burundians cast their ballots in the first of a series of votes that will continue until September.

Burundi: Ruling party leads in Burundi's municipal polls, Afrique en ligne (2010)

This article discusses the results of the municipal elections in Burundi. The elections are the first in a series that extends to the presidential elections in September.

Burundi opposition alleges fraud in district poll, Reuters Africa (2010)

This article discusses the accusations of fraud in Burundi's municipal elections from opposition leaders. They have asked that the national electoral commission (CENI) call new elections. The municipal elections are the first in a series culminating with the presidential election in September.

EU Team Says Burundi Poll Meets International Standards, VOA (2010)

EU observers have stated that the elections in Burundi meet international standards. Eight opposition parties have called for a new vote in the municipal elections, the first in a series including the presidential election scheduled for June 28.

Burundi:Only 7 candidates for Burundi's presidential election, Afrique en ligne (2010)

Only seven candidates filed their papers with National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) for the presidential election in June. The low number has been partly attributed to the high fee required to register.

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EU Observers Praise Burundi Election Despite Opposition Complaints, VOA (2010)

In spite of opposition complaints EU observers have deemed Burundi's municipal elections credible. The elections are the first in a series of polls culminating with June 28 presidential election.

Burundi Opposition To Boycott 28 June Election, VOA (2010)

This article discusses the boycott of the June 28 presidential elections in Burundi. Five of seven candidates have withdrawn from the race as they claim the outcome has already been decided.

Burundi: U.S. urges Burundi to let rights researcher return, Reuters (2010)

This article discusses a statement from The United States urging Burundi to allow an election observer with the group Human Rights Watch to return to the country. The observer was expelled after making statements critical of the elections.

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Burundi: ex-rebel leader Agathon Rwasa quits elections; BBC News(2010)

Five opposition candidates have withdrawn from presidential polls in Burundi due to take place on 28 June.

Burundi’s Opposition Alleges Election Fraud, The Botswana Gazette (2010)

This article discusses the alleged incidents of fraud in the Burundi elections. Opposition candidates have pulled of the presidential election in protest.

Burundi's Main Opposition Party Pulls out of Presidential Election, VOA (2010)

Following the five other parties who withdrew citing voting fraud in municipal elections Burundi's main opposition party has withdrawn from the June 28 presidential race. The governing party is now unopposed in the competition.

Burundi bans rallies by parties boycotting poll, Reuters Africa (2010)

The government has warned opposition parties against rallies that encourage the boycotting of the presidential election. The six opposition parties have withdrawn from the June 28 poll in protest of irregularities in district elections.

UN chief calls for credible Burundi poll, Reuters Africa (2010)

This article discusses an appeal from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to Burundi's political parties to end their dispute. Opposition parties have claimed that the National Electoral Commission (CENI) failed to prevent fraud.

Burundi Presidential Vote to Proceed Despite Opposition Boycott, VOA (2010)

The chairman of Burundi’s Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) announced preparations for the presidential election are far advanced. Opposition parties have decided to boycott the June 28 election in reaction to alleged fraud in local polls.

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Burundi Police Deny Attempt to Arrest Opposition Leader, VOA (2010)

Burundi police have denied that they were attempting to arrest an opposition leader. The opposition is boycotting the June 28th presidential elections, because they claim there were many irregularities during May's municipal elections.

EU deplores lack of competition in Burundi's presidential elections due on June 28, The People's Daily (2010)

An EU envoy has expressed disappointment over the lack of competition in the upcoming presidential elections, but insisted that opposition parties boycotting the race should still be allowed to participate in the campaign.

International community concerned over mounting violence ahead of presidential election in Burundi, People's Daily Online (2010)

This article discusses growing concerns over the deterioration of security in Burundi since the beginning of the current series of elections on June 12. Burundi will hold presidential elections on June 28.

Grenade attacks mar run-up to election in Burundi, RFI (2010)

Grenade blasts on Friday injured more than twenty people, the violence is being blamed on confrontations between opposition parties and the ruling party. The opposition contests the results of the May local election.

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Claims of Fraud, Violence Mar Upcoming Presidential Election in Burundi, VOA (2010)

Tensions have been mounting in the lead up to the June 28 presidential elections in Burundi. Following accusations of fraud in the May local elections there has been an increase in violence and all candidates except from current president Pierre Nkurunziza have withdrawn from the race. The article also discusses the ballot system.

DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE TO OBSERVE ELECTIONS IN BURUNDi, Reuters AlertNet (2010)

Caritas Canada will be sending an observation team to Burundi for the presidential elections, though there will only be one candidate in the election.

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Burundians Vote Monday for President Amid Opposition Boycott , VOA (2010)

Presidential elections will continue as planned in spite of opposition boycott. All opposition candidates have withdrawn from the race following alleged fraud in municipal elections. Election observers feel that the single candidate poll will hurt the credibility of the election.

Polls open in one-man Burundi presidential election , RFI (2010)

International observers from several organizations and agencies will be present for the Burundi presidential election. Turnout is expected to be low as the opposition parties are boycotting the vote and sitting president Pierre Nkurunziza is the only candidate.

Burundi votes with Pierre Nkurunziza the only candidate, BBC (2010)

There are concerns that accusations of fraud and the opposition boycott of the presidential election could lead to violence in Burundi. The peace agreement of 2006 ended 13 years of civil war in Burundi.

Burundi Holds Single Candidate Presidential Election, VOA (2010)

Low voter turnout is expected as Burundi holds the presidential election with only one candidate as the opposition are boycotting the poll. In Burundi voters cast their vote by placing a name in a white envelope and all others in a black envelope, the electoral commission has said that it will treat a black envelope with the single candidate Pierre Nkurunziza name as a 'no' vote against him.

Burundi slow to cast verdict on Pierre Nkurunziza in vote-turned-referendum, The Guardian (2010)

Voter turnout has been low in the presidential election as the opposition are boycotting the vote in protest of alleged irregularities in May municipal elections. The vote has turned into a referendum on the presidency of the only remaining candidate, sitting president Pierre Nkurunziza.

Polls farcical, Burundi told, The Citizen (2010)

Votes continue to be counted in the presidential election that had only one candidate. Voter turnout was low and there have been accusations of voter-intimidation. The opposition parties boycotted the election in protest of alleged irregularities in the May municipal elections.

Voters trickle to polling booths in Burundi's presidential election, Afrique en ligne (2010)

The National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) has asked journalists to stop reporting on the election to eliminate any influence on voters. Turnout has been low as the opposition is boycotting the election. current president Pierre Nkurunziza is the only candidate.

EU observers regret single-candidate Burundi poll, Reuters Africa (2010)

President Pierre Nkurunziza has been re-elected following a one candidate race. International observers have expressed regret over the lack of competition.

Grenade Blasts After One-Man Presidential Vote in Burundi, VOA (2010)

After a relatively calm period during the single-candidate presidential election there have been grenade attacks in Burundi. A Human Rights Watch observer has said that these attacks are partly the result of police inaction to attacks during the May municipal elections.

Opposition Calls Election in Burundi a ‘Masquerade’, The New York Times (2010)

The opposition in Burundi, who boycotted the presidential election, have denounced the process and said they will not recognize President Pierre Nkurunziza who was re-elected in the vote. The parties boycotted the race in protest of the May municipal elections, which they say were rigged.

Burundi Parliamentary Vote Begins Friday, VOA (2010)

Opposition leaders have called for a boycott of the legislative elections scheduled to begin Friday. The opposition have accused both the Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) and President Pierre Nkurunziza of undermining the May 24 local elections.

FACTBOX-Burundians vote in parliamentary election, Reuters Africa (2010)

Beginning on Friday Burundians will vote in legislative elections. This article describes the political situation in Burundi including political parties and controversy surrounding the May 24 local elections.

Burundi ruling party wins parliamentary election, Reuters Africa (2010)

Official results showed that the ruling party won 81.19% of the votes in the parliamentary election, third in a series that began with local elections in May. President Pierre Nkurunziza ran unchallenged in the presidential election due to an opposition boycott. Turnout was lower than that of the presidential election.

Burundi: Election boycott will only relegate opposition to the background, The Independent (2010)

This article discuss opposition boycotts in Burundi. In the presidential elections earlier this year, the main opposition parties boycotted the poll to protest against massive fraud in local body elections and the lack of independence in the electoral management. As expected, Nkurunzinza returned to office for a second five-year term, despite the Amnesty International reports on torture for political prisoners.