Gitega : the opposition denounces the government takeover of the Provincial Electoral Commission ahead of 2027

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, June 10, 2026 – The official presentation of the members of the Independent Provincial Electoral Commission (CEPI) of Gitega, a province that also hosts the country’s political capital, organized on Tuesday by the president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), Prosper Ntahorwamiye, is being strongly contested by several opposition parties. They denounce a composition they consider largely dominated by the ruling party and its allies, as the presidential election of May 2027 approaches.

According to these political groups, this configuration confirms a trend toward the gradual exclusion of the opposition from the structures responsible for organizing elections, despite repeated commitments by the authorities to inclusive elections.

During the ceremony, Prosper Ntahorwamiye indicated that the Gitega Independent Provincial Electoral Commission (CEPI) will have the primary mission of preparing for the various upcoming elections, including the 2027 presidential election.

A commission deemed unbalanced

The Gitega CEPI is composed of eleven members, seven Hutus and four Tutsis, including three women. The existing leadership was re-elected, with Joseph Maniraho, a member of the CNDD-FDD, at its head. Gérard Ninziza of CODIP (Collective of Organizations for Integrated Population Development), a civil society organization considered close to the government, served as vice-president, while Vestine Nininahazwe, also from the CNDD-FDD, retained the position of secretary.

Of the eleven commissioners, four are from the CNDD-FDD and two from the CEPI (Independent Provincial Electoral Commission). The other seats are held by representatives of the God is Way Church, UPRONA, PRP-Abatuhurana, and the Sangwe-PADER party.

The opposition argues that this distribution reflects neither the province’s true political diversity nor the transparency commitments announced by the electoral authorities.

“A disguised exclusion,” according to the opposition

Speaking on behalf of his party, Daniel Manirakiza, provincial president of SAHWANYA-FRODEBU in Gitega, believes that reappointing members who oversaw the 2025 elections demonstrates a desire to control the electoral process.

“The majority of these members were part of the CEPI (Independent Provincial Electoral Commission) that organized the 2025 district and legislative elections, elections marred by numerous irregularities. We fear that the 2027 presidential elections will be held under the same conditions,” he stated.

He also accuses the authorities of failing to honor the commitments made during the meeting between political parties and the Head of State, Évariste Ndayishimiye, in Kiriri, at the Presidential Palace in Bujumbura, the country’s commercial capital.

“Despite the commitments made in Kiriri, the opposition remains marginalized within the decentralized structures of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). Even the UPRONA representative, in our opinion, will not have the capacity to exert influence against a majority loyal to the government,” he added.

According to him, this situation undermines the credibility of the upcoming elections and fuels mistrust within the opposition.

“A façade of pluralism,” criticizes the opposition.

The CNDD, led by Léonard Nyangoma, echoes this sentiment. Its provincial president in Gitega denounces what he considers a mere façade of political pluralism.

“It’s just a new variety of drink in the same bottle,” he quipped, arguing that the changes made do not alter the control exercised over the electoral process.

The majority defends a “balanced” composition

On the government side, provincial leaders of the CNDD-FDD and UPRONA reject these accusations. Georges Nshimirimana and Deo Bigirimana maintain that the CEPI reflects a balance in accordance with the existing laws.

They call on opposition parties to focus on the political arena.

“Opposition parties should seek out activists instead of focusing on a few seats,” they stated.

The CENI rejects all accusations of exclusion

Faced with criticism, the president of the CENI, Prosper Ntahorwamiye, rejected any accusation of marginalizing the opposition. He asserts that the composition of the CEPI strictly adheres to the balances stipulated by law and the Constitution.

“The constitutional balances have been respected,” he affirmed.

He also specified that political parties not represented in the CEPI will be able to participate in the future Independent District Electoral Commissions (CECI), which will be established in the next stages of the electoral process.

A climate of mistrust as 2027 approaches

As preparations for the May 2027 presidential election begin, the establishment of the CEPI in Gitega is reigniting political tensions. For the opposition, this electoral structure already reflects a profound imbalance that could undermine public trust in the electoral process.

In this context, the question of the representativeness and independence of electoral bodies remains at the heart of political debates in the CEPI of Gitega, a province that also hosts the country’s political capital.