Burundi’s electoral commission is considering alternative dates for national elections amid growing calls for the polls to be postponed because of political unrest, an official said Tuesday as anti-government protests returned to parts of the capital.
CENI’s announcement comes just a day after the Burundian government welcomed the proposal by the East African Community (EAC) for the postponement of the country’s elections for one and half months though the meeting did not touch the issue of president Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term.
Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, has been wracked by weeks of street protests after the ruling party nominated Nkurunziza for a third term — a decision seen by many as unconstitutional.
An emergency meeting by regional leaders last weekend called on elections to be delayed by at least six weeks. But the government has rejected any postponement, saying any political vacuum in the country could lead to even more political violence.
Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, has been wracked by weeks of street protests after the ruling party nominated Nkurunziza for a third term — a decision seen by many as unconstitutional.An emergency meeting by regional leaders last weekend called on elections to be delayed by at least six weeks. But the government has rejected any postponement, saying any political vacuum in the country could lead to even more political violence.
