Burundi – Legislative and district elections of June 5: arrests, fraud, threats, and a death reported in the south of the country

SOS Médias Burundi

Makamba, June 5, 2025 – The legislative and district elections held on Thursday, June 5, in the future province of Burunga were marred by violence, irregularities, intimidation, arrests, and even one death, according to testimonies collected by SOS Médias Burundi. Several sources denounce the control of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party, and the involvement of its youth league, the Imbonerakure.

In the district of Giharo, in Rutana province, a local UPRONA party official was arrested by the police in the afternoon, a few hours after reporting irregularities at certain polling stations.

“He contested the use of dubious proxies and the limited access of opposition representatives. Shortly after, he was arrested for reasons that remain unclear,” confided a resident of the Muzye area.
“He dared to challenge members of the Independent District Electoral Commission (CECI) on the transparency of the process. Apparently, that didn’t go down well,” added another witness.

An administrative source confirmed :

“He is held at the Giharo brigade. He is accused of disrupting the smooth running of the voting process.”

In the town center of Makamba, a tragedy occurred : Éméline, wife of the president of the National Independent Human Rights Commission (CNIDH) and an election observer, died in circumstances that remain unclear.

“She was found dead at her observation post. The cause of her death remains unknown at this time,” said an electoral commission officer.

“She seemed in good health in the morning. Her death shocked all the staff,” added a colleague on the scene.

In the same province, several reports of intimidation, fraud, and a widespread climate of fear.

“Pupils were forced to vote for the ruling party, including those who weren’t registered,” said a secondary school teacher.

“In my center, some young people said they were afraid they wouldn’t get their grades back if they refused to vote,” reported a 17-year-old pupil.

Cases of abusive proxy voting were also reported.

“The village chiefs arrived with dozens of proxy voting forms. No one checked anything. They filled out the ballots in place of those who were absent,” denounced a CNL party representative.

The increased presence of Imbonerakure, members of the CNDD-FDD youth league, was observed in several centers.

“They directed the lines, monitored voters, and put pressure on certain voters.” “This created a climate of fear,” said a local observer.
“A woman wanted to vote for the party of her choice, but an Imbonerakure tried to look at her ballot. She left the center without voting,” said a UPRONA activist.

In other areas, verbal altercations took place between opposition activists and CNDD-FDD supporters. Several opposition party representatives were expelled from polling stations or prevented from monitoring the count.

“I was chased away even though I was duly accredited. The polling station president told me he was acting on orders,” said a representative of Sahwanya Frodebu.

Independent observers and residents denounced the election as far from fair.

“These local elections were supposed to reflect the popular will. Instead, they reveal a system locked down by a hegemonic party,” lamented a political analyst contacted in Bujumbura. “We demand impartial investigations and sanctions against those responsible for these abuses,” insists a human rights defender based in Makamba.

As partial results begin to circulate, the authorities have yet to officially respond to the reported incidents. Local NGOs are calling for greater transparency, witness protection, and respect for the rights of opposition party members.