Bubanza : only one convicted out of twelve Imbonerakure prosecuted for electoral fraud

Bujumbura, September 1, 2025 – Twelve members of the youth league of the ruling CNDD-FDD party appeared before the First Instance Court of Bubanza, in Bujumbura province (western Burundi), for alleged fraud during the August 25 village councilor elections. At the end of the trial, only one defendant was found guilty of ballot stuffing, while the other eleven were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

According to the prosecution’s indictment, the defendants allegedly attempted to manipulate the vote in favor of their political party’s candidates. Some allegedly attempted to vote multiple times using different voter cards, while others are accused of smuggling ballots into the ballot boxes before or during voting.

The incidents allegedly took place in several electoral centers located in the villages of Murengeza, Gifurwe, Buringa, and Muzinda. Of the twelve people arrested on the election day, three were identified as ordinary voters.

An investigation weakened by gaps

The trial highlighted significant flaws in the judicial investigation. No witnesses were presented before the court, either for the prosecution or the defense. Some defendants even claimed to have been arrested before reaching their polling station, sometimes “en route” or “on the wires,” a local expression referring to improvised roadblocks.

“The investigation was flawed and did not clearly establish responsibility,” said an observer who attended the hearing.

Only one convicted

At the end of the deliberations, the court acquitted eleven of the twelve defendants for lack of evidence. Only one CNDD-FDD activist, accused of ballot stuffing at the Murengeza polling station, was found guilty and fined 200,000 Burundi francs.

Persistent electoral tensions

This case illustrates the tensions surrounding the village elections in the district of Mpanda. According to several local sources, members of the Imbonerakure League sought to ensure the victory of their candidates, not hesitating to exert pressure or monitor voters suspected of voting for other parties.

While the majority of the defendants were released, this trial reopens the debate on the transparency of local elections, regularly marred by suspicions of manipulation, intimidation, and a lack of impartiality.