Burundi's constitution amendment process going well before referendum: minister

BUJUMBURA, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The campaign of explaining amendments to the Burundian constitution before a referendum in May 2018 is going on well, the east African country's interior minister said here in a press conference on Thursday.

"The Burundian government appreciates how the campaign of explaining amendments brought to the Burundian constitution is going on nationwide. Reports from provinces and districts reveal that citizens progressively understand innovations contained in the draft constitution," said Burundian Interior Minister Pascal Barandagiye.

In December 2017, the National Independent Electoral Commission said the referendum of the east African country's constitution will be held in May.

The draft constitution extends the presidential term from five years provided in the 2005 constitution to seven years and allows the president to serve two consecutive terms.

It also provides the creation of a post of a prime minister and only one vice-president whereas the 2005 constitution provided two vice-presidents. Enditem