Burundi: CNL party speaks out against the formation of branches of the electoral commission

The CENI (Independent National Electoral Commission) is accused of “lack of transparency, impartiality and fairness” in the creation of its branches. The main opposition party is outraged at being less represented as it has “submitted files meeting all the required criteria”.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

In a statement signed on August 26, 2024 by the party’s secretary general, the CNL shows that it is only represented by 5 members out of a total of 52 provincial electoral commissioners (CEPI). The commission’s lower level of the commune (CECI) has appointed 24 CNL supporters out of 294 commissioners.

The Mp Léopold Hakizimana, Secretary General of the CNL, indicates that this quota remains lower for this party which declares itself the second political force in the country considering the results proclaimed by the CENI in 2020. He finds that the party in power is granted the majority of members and almost all of the offices to the detriment of other political parties recognized by the Burundian law.

“Despite the assurances of the CENI in meetings with electoral partners, it has not kept its promises,” regrets MP Léopold Hakizimana.

In its conclusions, the CNL party asks the CENI to take into account unbiased political diversity when setting up its branches, and to prioritize collaboration and consultation of all stakeholders in decision-making. The administrative authorities are called upon to take measures favorable to applicants for identity cards. The CNL draws the attention of the country’s partners.

“They must closely monitor the evolution of the situation in this pre-election period,” proposes the main opposition party.

According to this party, the establishment of provincial and communal electoral commissions violates Articles 89 and 90 of the Constitution of Burundi.

Elections are organized impartially at the national, communal, hill and neighborhood levels as well as at other levels set by law, according to Article 89 of the Burundian Constitution.

Article 90 of the same mother law of the small East African nation states that the CENI guarantees the regularity, freedom, impartiality, transparency and independence of the entire electoral process.

Léopold Hakizimana claims that both articles were violated by the electoral commission. The president of the CENI has not yet spoken out on these allegations. But some representatives of the provincial commissions including those of Gitega (central Burundi) explained that “everything took place in transparency”.

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CNL activists at a party ceremony, February 2022 (SOS Médias Burundi)