Burundi sets date for presidential elections; opposition accuses government of corruption

Written by: Mohamed Ragab

The electoral commission announced in BurundiThe next presidential elections will be held on May 3, 2027, during a meeting boycotted by opposition forces who expressed doubts about the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.

The announcement comes as the country prepares for an election. political New amid an atmosphere of political tension and increasing criticism of the performance of electoral institutions, in one of the poorest countries on the African continent and the one most affected by internal conflicts over the past decades.

Ndayishimiye is the ruling party's candidate for a new term.

President Evariste Ndayishimiye has led the country since 2020, following the death of former President Pierre Nkurunziza, who ruled the country for a long period before his sudden death.

The ruling party, the National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD), officially nominated Ndayishimiye last April to run in the upcoming elections, amid widespread expectations that he is the most likely candidate to win a new term.

The 57-year-old president is seen as seeking to consolidate his political power while reducing the influence of some powerful generals and military figures, while maintaining a firm grip on state institutions.

The opposition boycotts the meeting and challenges the integrity of the committee.

In contrast, opposition parties boycotted the meeting during which the electoral commission announced the date of the vote, expressing their rejection of the way in which preparations for the elections were being managed.

In a joint statement, the opposition forces said that the electoral commission, “in its composition and conduct, is incapable of organizing elections that meet the required standards of transparency and integrity.”.

The opposition also described the ongoing preparations as “premature and inappropriate,” stressing that holding free elections requires first launching a comprehensive political dialogue that includes the various political parties in the country.

The opposition accuses the authorities of restricting political freedoms and shrinking the space for democratic action, while the government affirms its commitment to holding legal and secure elections that reflect the will of the Burundian people.

Election timetable

According to the schedule announced by the electoral commission, the final results of the presidential elections are scheduled to be announced on May 18, 2027, with the winning president to be sworn in on June 18 of the same year.

If the election is not decided in the first round, a second round of voting will be held on June 1, while the final results of this round will be announced on June 16.

Political and human rights circles in Burundi are closely watching the upcoming electoral process, amid local and international calls to ensure transparent elections that open the way for broader political participation in the country.