Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) – Security is very tight across Burundi as the controversial legislative polls opened Monday.
Ahead of the elections, at least three persons were killed in gun and grenade attacks over the weekend in some of the areas where protests against the polls have been strong.
But the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Pierre Claver Ndayicariye, has reassured his compatriots that the necessary measures would be taken to ensure their safety.
He said the security agencies have been deployed across the country.
The electoral chief also said all election materials have been distributed to 3,500 centres and 11,000 polling stations, where 3.8 million voters are expected to cast their ballot.
He said the polls would be observed mostly by the country’s nationals, after the withdrawal of those from the African Union (AU) and European Union (EU).
For its part, the UN Electoral Mission in Burundi (MENUB) has deployed 140 observers, which it said does not amount to an endorsement of the polls.
Opponents of the elections want them postponed until the start of the political dialogue in the country, a demand that is also in line with that from the international community.
Analysts said the elections are expected to be easily won by the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy/Forces of Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD).
Photo: World Bulletin
