Elections in Butanyerera : a deceptive calm, marred by massive fraud and intimidation

SOS Médias Burundi

Ngozi, June 7, 2025 — The expanded province of Butanyerera—which encompasses the former provinces of Kirundo, Ngozi, and Kayanza—experienced elections marked by a seemingly peaceful process, but deeply undermined by numerous irregularities and systematic fraud, orchestrated in particular by the Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling party, the CNDD-FDD.

Witnesses denounce a worrying presence of the Imbonerakure even in the voting booths.

In several polling stations, Imbonerakure were seen around and even inside the centers, accompanying some voters, particularly those suspected of not voting for the CNDD-FDD. In Vumbi, a case shocked the population : a voter, whose identity remains confidential, refused to be monitored in the voting booth by an Imbonerakure. A heated exchange ensued : the ballot was torn up, and the voter was arrested for “disrupting the voting process,” according to the authorities.

This behavior sparked outrage among witnesses present. Several residents demanded the immediate release of this voter, described as a respected official, and denounced the electoral harassment and impunity enjoyed by CNDD-FDD members.

Opposition representatives sidelined or intimidated

In many districts —Kirundo, Ngozi, Matongo, Busoni, Kiremba, and Tangara—opposition monitors, particularly from the CNL party, were unable to carry out their duties.
According to concordant sources, they were intimidated, threatened, or simply prevented from accessing polling centers. Result : the majority of the representatives present were from the CNDD-FDD, seriously compromising the transparency of the election.

Electoral structures infiltrated by the ruling party

The very composition of the electoral structures left little room for doubt.
From the presidents of CEPI and CECI—the provincial and district commissions responsible for elections, respectively—to the polling station officials, most were members or sympathizers of the ruling party, facilitating organized electoral fraud.

In several polling stations, the absence of CNL electoral monitors was noted, making any internal protest impossible. For some voters, this was more of a sham election than a genuine democratic exercise.

Widespread intimidation and fear in the voting booths

Fear was omnipresent. Voters reported being prevented from voting freely, under penalty of being beaten or publicly humiliated. “Even in the voting booth, we were told they would see what we had voted for,” said a Kayanza resident, visibly affected by the day.

Citizens claim to have been forced to vote for the CNDD-FDD, under psychological or physical pressure. A climate of widespread intimidation has rendered the principle of a free and secret ballot meaningless.

The press muzzled under tight control

Even journalists, supposed to be the guardians of transparency, saw their freedom curtailed.
Before the start of the media synergy scheduled for Thursday and Friday, several reporters reportedly received strict instructions on the boundaries not to be crossed.
The result : a partial silence on irregularities and biased coverage of the real situation on the ground.

An election that calls into question democratic credibility

In the villages as well as in the urban centers of Butanyerera, the June 5th election left a deep bitterness. Behind the facade of electoral calm, intimidation and fraud are reminders of how fraught the path to true democracy remains in Burundi.