Burundi’s ruling party, the CNDD-FDD, has secured an overwhelming victory in the country’s recent legislative elections, winning 100% of the seats in the National Assembly, according to official results released Wednesday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). However, opposition parties and independent candidates have strongly rejected the outcome, calling it fraudulent and undemocratic.
According to CENI’s figures, the CNDD-FDD garnered 96.51% of the vote, followed by UPRONA with 1.38%, and the CNL with just 0.58%. Several opposition parties and independent candidates were left without any representation.
Opposition Outcry
The coalition “Burundi Bwa Bose,” which obtained only 0.22% of the vote, denounced the results as “rigged” and demanded their outright cancellation.
“The coalition regrets the democratic backsliding, undermining the hard-won gains achieved since independence,” read a statement issued shortly after the results were announced. It called on the Constitutional Court to invalidate what it described as an ‘exceptional fraud’ and urged the government to organize new elections that are “free, inclusive, fair, and transparent.”
The Union for National Progress (UPRONA), one of Burundi’s oldest political parties, also voiced its discontent. In a strongly worded statement, the party decried the elections as “a missed opportunity” and accused the electoral commission and local authorities of failing in their duty to remain neutral.
“The results declared are a mockery of democracy,” UPRONA chairperson Olivier Nkurunziza said in a statement. “This electoral masquerade must not stand.”
UPRONA also condemned what it described as the involvement of state administration and security forces in acts of voter intimidation and manipulation. The party called on President Evariste Ndayishimiye to recognize the severity of the crisis and to initiate political dialogue. It also demanded the release of individuals allegedly arrested arbitrarily during the electoral process.
“Electoral Hold-Up”
Anicet Niyonkuru, president of the National Congress for Freedom (CDP), went even further, labeling the outcome as an “electoral hold-up.”
“These are results fabricated by CENI or dictated by the regime,” Niyonkuru said. “We’ll consult within the party on our next steps, but frankly, we have little faith that even the courts can provide justice.”
Independent candidate Jules Niyongabo also expressed dismay. “This new parliament will belong to one party alone,” he said. “I voted, but I couldn’t even get my own vote — it’s heartbreaking.”
Despite the backlash, local and international observers largely praised the conduct of the June 5 elections, citing only minor irregularities, some of which were acknowledged by the electoral commission.
The CNDD-FDD, which also swept Tuesday’s communal elections, rejected allegations of misconduct. Party officials described the vote as peaceful and transparent, and attributed their success to public confidence in their leadership.
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