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Burundian citizens go to polls amid violence

Xinhua, July 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

At least 3.8 million Burundian citizens who registered for the country's 2015 elections Tuesday went to cast their votes in a presidential poll to be boycotted by the country's main opposition groups.

Monday night was however a nightmare for residents in most neighborhoods of the capital Bujumbura where grenade explosions and gunshots were heard.

Two grenades were also Monday night detonated in Rusaka, central province of Mwaro, without making any victim.

Burundian incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza and three other candidates, considered by analysts as allies of the ruling party, the National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD), are expected to be in the presidential race.

The three candidates include Gerard Nduwayo, candidate of the Union for National Progress (UPRONA), Jean de Dieu Mutabazi on behalf of the Coalition for a Participatory Opposition (COPA) and Jacques Bigirimana, candidate of the National Liberation Forces (FNL).

However, the spokesman of the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) Prosper Ntahorwamiye however said that all the eight candidates who sent their application to the CENI are in the race.

"As far as I know, those who sent applications and who are in the competition are eight. The evidence is that the ballot paper in the countryside has been explained and bears the eight candidates. The news that they left the race is being received from radio stations," said CENI Spokesman Prosper Ntahorwamiye.

Citizens who cast their votes said they are eager to have gone to participate in the poll.

"As a Burundian citizen, I cast my vote because I had to exercise my right to vote," said Methode Niyondiko, a resident in Carama neighborhood.

Another citizen who requested anonymity said he voted for Nkurunziza because he promoted development during the last 10 years. Endit