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Burundi's electoral body suggests presidential poll delayed to July

Xinhua, June 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Burundi's electoral body on Monday suggested that the country's presidential election delayed to July 15, after weeks of protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term.

It was also proposed that the parliamentary elections held on June 26 and the senator elections on July 24.

The timetable, however, will have to be approved by the president before it becomes valid, said Pierre Claver Ndayicariye, head of the Burundian National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI).

A meeting over the schedule for the elections was earlier held, attended by representatives of the ruling party and its allies, while boycotted by some opposition parties and coalitions.

"To create a more favorable climate for elections, the government is ready to suspend arrest warrants against organizers of demonstrations, but we also urge an end to demonstrations," said Home Affairs Minister, Edouard Nduwimana, who attended the meeting.

He said that the authorities will disarm youth groups within two weeks and issue a report, as the government is "committed to boost security of political leaders" and the "security during electoral campaigns."

Other measures to create a favorable climate for elections include the repatriation of the Burundian citizens and the replacement of two members of the CENI who resigned last week, he added.

Burundi has been in turmoil since April 25 when Nkurunziza, who has been in power since 2005, announced that he will run for a third term in the upcoming elections, despite warnings at home and abroad.

Clashes between protesters and police, mainly in the capital Bujumbura, have left more than 30 dead, according to Burundi's civil society groups.

A summit on Burundi crisis that brought together East African leaders in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, on May 31, urged a delay to Burundi's elections.

Opponents say Nkurunziza's decision violates the constitution that limits the president to two terms in office.

His supporters however argue that his first term does not count as he was appointed by parliament, not elected by people. Endi