Burundi is scheduled to hold its general elections on May 20 but has warned that observers sent by the East African Community will be placed under mandatory 14-day quarantine.

This means the election observers will not be able to follow up the electoral process because the quarantine period will elapse two days after the elections are held.

According to a letter written by the Burundi government that was signed in May 8, “It is mandatory for all persons, whether Burundians, Residents in Burundi or East African Community Citizens, entering the Republic of Burundi, to respect the 14 days quarantine period.”

However, in the same letter, the government proposed that, “It is advisable that the EAC Secretariat should delegate among the stakeholders who might be already present in Burundi and to whom the 14-day quarantine doesn’t apply, to serve as the East African Community Technical Observation Mission.”

According to critics, the Independent National Electoral Commission has refused to publish the updated list of eligible voters adding that there is a possibility that numbers will be made up on Election Day.