Gitega: the creation of the independent municipal electoral commission controversial

In the commune of Gitega, the Burundi’s political capital Gitega, members of the Independent Communal Electoral Commission (CECI) were previsionaly revealed on Friday August 23. They are seven including five of the Hutu ethnic group. The chairman of the Sahwanya FRODEBU party says this imbalance proves that the next elections will not be transparent. But the Independent Provincial Electoral Commission, denies the accusation. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The picked members are affiliates to the civil society organizations close to the ruling party, opposition political parties allege. The Burundi Muslim community is also represented.

“Seven people were selected. We note that five are Hutu. Other ethnic groups were not sufficiently represented,” suggest a member of local civil society.

The FRODEBU party had already labeled the formation of the CENI (Independent National Electoral Commission) as a farce.

Saturday August 17, during an ordinary session of the council of national delegates, Patrick Nkurunziza, president of FRODEBU, had already denounced a process of setting up “monocolor commissions”.

Ephrem Manirakiza, vice-president of the provincial electoral commission in Gitega, believes that the constitution of the Gitega municipal commission was rather transparent.

“We had to choose 63 people from different political groups, civil society bodies and congregations out of 514 files that had been submitted. We must understand that not everyone could be selected,” he explained.

The new province of Gitega has a total of 9 communes. Each of its commissions must have 7 members.