Burundi’s electoral body announced Wednesday it will delay scheduled local and parliamentary elections after more than a month of sometimes violent protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term.
Nkurunziza’s campaign for a third presidential term ignited Burundi’s worst crisis since an ethnically-fuelled civil war ended in 2005. His opponents say he is constitutionally prohibited from running for a third term.
Regional bloc East African Community on Sunday asked the Burundian government to postpone elections for at least 45 days and to use the time to ensure that there is a conducive environment to hold the polls. More than 90,000 Burundians have fled the country fearing violence. Burundi has had a long history of political upheaval that has been characterized by political assassinations and coups.
Officials are waiting for a proposal from the electoral commission on the new dates for election. Parliamentary elections were scheduled for Friday while presidential polls were slated for June 26.
