Religious leaders in Burundi have expressed serious concerns over multiple irregularities that marred the legislative elections held on June 5, calling for greater transparency and accountability. Their warnings come amid a rising wave of protests from political parties contesting the election results, which the government has condemned as threats to national peace.
On Thursday, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi issued a statement read by Bishop Bonaventure Nahimana, highlighting significant flaws during the voting process. The bishops pointed to poor management of election timing, noting that several polling stations opened early—before candidates’ representatives and observers could verify ballot boxes or witness the swearing-in of election officials.
The statement also revealed incidents where some polling stations barred candidate representatives and observers from entering or found ballot boxes suspiciously filled upon their arrival. “In some areas, polling staff failed to maintain neutrality, pressuring voters to choose certain candidates or even accompanying them into voting booths,” the bishops said.
Reports of multiple voting, including the use of several voter cards by the same individuals and voting on behalf of others, were also cited. Bishop Nahimana detailed further concerns about legal rights violations, with candidate representatives and observers being denied access to voting booths or forced to sign reports without proper authorization.
Similarly, the Muslim Council of Burundi raised concerns over delayed openings of some polling stations due to late delivery of materials but acknowledged that the election day was marked by peace and security nationwide.
Earlier this week, the opposition had decried the election results, with several political parties, including the coalition Burundi Bwa Bose and the Union for National Progress (UPRONA), condemning the vote as fraudulent and illegitimate. Burundi Bwa Bose, which secured just 0.22% of the vote, labeled the results as “rigged” and urged the Constitutional Court to annul what it called “exceptional fraud,” demanding fresh elections that are free and fair.
UPRONA echoed these concerns, calling the process “a mockery of democracy” and accusing electoral officials and security forces of voter intimidation and manipulation. The party also urged President Evariste Ndayishimiye to address the political crisis through dialogue and to release individuals allegedly detained without cause during the electoral process.
Interior Minister Vows Legal Action but Warns Against Public Protests
In response, Interior Minister Martin Niteretse acknowledged that some irregularities had occurred and announced arrests of 32 individuals suspected of election offenses, with investigations ongoing.
However, he criticized political leaders for airing their grievances publicly without first reporting them through official channels. “The ministry is concerned by politicians who, despite participating in the elections, issued public statements alleging irregularities after the fact, without reporting these issues on election day as agreed,” he said.
The minister warned that such public statements risked destabilizing peace and security. “We urge all citizens and politicians to refrain from issuing disruptive statements,” he added. “Under Burundian law, rejecting election results without a legal basis is a punishable offense.”
Niteretse encouraged anyone with evidence of election irregularities to report them to relevant authorities promptly to enable proper investigation and prosecution.
Despite government reassurances, the Catholic Bishops expressed pessimism about the prospects for future credible elections without meaningful reforms.
“We must continue to strive for elections that are transparent, just, and peaceful,” Bishop Nahimana concluded, urging a renewed commitment to true democracy as the foundation for electoral integrity in Burundi.
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