Burundi: Campaign for new president begins

Outgoing Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza on Saturday signed a decree that the campaign for elections of the president, members of National Assembly and district councillors will start on Monday and run till May 17.

The decree advanced the campaign, originally slated to start on May 20, by more than 3 weeks.

The decree said the campaign should be done by political parties, coalitions of political parties and independent candidates approved by the Burundian National Independent Electoral Commission.

The National Media Council will ensure that competitors have “equal access to state media” during the campaign, it added.

With only 1 death and 15 COVID-19 cases, authorities are pressing on with the May 20 vote for a successor to President Pierre Nkurunziza, an ex-rebel leader in power since the 2005 end of a civil war.

Nkurunziza’s ruling CNDD-FDD party is fielding Evariste Ndayishimiye, a retired army general who heads the department of military affairs in the president’s office.

His foremost opponent is opposition party CNL’s candidate Agathon Rwasa, a deputy chairman of the National Assembly and another former rebel leader.

Unlike most other nations, Burundi has not placed restrictions on gatherings or internal travel due to the Coronavirus crisis, so campaigning should be relatively unimpeded.

Five other candidates are vying for the presidency, including the first vice president Gaston Sindimwo and former president Domicien Ndayizeye. Parliamentary and municipal elections will be held at the same time.

Elsewhere in Africa, Burundi, Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Guinea are also all due to hold elections this year.

Source: Agencies