Burundian civil society organization PARCEM has called on the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) to remain impartial ahead of the 2027 presidential election, following a boycott announced by five opposition political parties.
Faustin Ndikumana, PARCEM’s national director, stressed that the CENI’s primary responsibility is to serve as a neutral referee during the electoral process.
“The CENI plays the role of an arbitrator between two competing sides,” Ndikumana said.
According to PARCEM, the commission should not dismiss complaints and proposals raised by political parties involved in the elections.
“The CENI should not take lightly the grievances or recommendations submitted by those participating in the competition,” he said. “No one wants the 2027 elections to resemble those of 2025, because Burundians are politically mature. We all need these elections, but they must be transparent.”
Ndikumana also warned that countries unable to organize credible and transparent elections risk falling back into political crises.
“If the objective is simply to win elections by force, then such elections should not even be held at the cost of billions in public funds,” he added. “These must be quality elections that can truly benefit the country.”
PARCEM’s appeal comes after the five opposition parties announced last week that they would boycott all CENI-organized meetings related to preparations for the presidential election.
In response, President Évariste Ndayishimiye later said on his X account that he planned to meet with the leaders of the opposition parties, although he did not specify a date for the talks.
Meanwhile, Olivier Nkurunziza, president of the opposition party UPRONA and one of the five parties involved in the boycott, said the meeting is expected to take place on Friday, May 15, 2026.
“We have already received confirmation that on Friday we will be granted an audience with the president , which is a positive step,” Nkurunziza said.
“It is important for people to engage in dialogue, especially on crucial matters such as elections,” he added.
Despite the planned talks, the opposition parties continue to insist that alleged irregularities during the 2025 elections must be addressed in order to improve the political climate ahead of the next electoral cycle.
“Whenever the electoral environment is cleaned up, nothing would prevent fair political competition — unlike what happened in 2025,” Nkurunziza said. “What is still lacking is an authority capable of organizing elections impartially, which would ultimately show who can truly win or lose.”
Burundi’s next presidential election is scheduled for May 3, 2027. So far, no political party besides the ruling CNDD-FDD has officially presented a candidate for the race.
