According to a report via Aljazeera.com, the results for the Burundi elections are not expected to be announced until Thursday, 24 July 2015; however, incumbent Pierre Nkurunziza is widely expected to win his third term.
Electoral Commission president Pierre-Claver Ndayiragije said an estimated 74 per cent of the country’s 3.8 million registered voters cast their ballot, comparable to last month’s general elections, despite a boycott from opposition lawmakers.
According to the report, by the Daily Nation, violence rocked the capital as at least two people – a policeman and a civilian – were killed overnight before the polls opened on Tuesday in what Nkurunziza’s chief communications advisor called “terrorist acts” aimed at “intimidating voters.”
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged calm, calling on all sides to “refrain from any acts of violence that could compromise the stability of Burundi and the region,” according to the report.
The US State Department has joined, according to the BBC, critics saying the disputed presidential election lacks credibility and will discredit the government.
With the Burundi elections well underway, Africans have reached out to social media in order to air their opinion on the controversial elections.
The Tweets can be found below:
#Burundi: “The government is waiting for these elections to be over and they will annihilate all those who are behind me” says @AgathonRwasa
— Pádraic (@kudupadraic) July 22, 2015
A burning barricade on a rock strewn street in #Bujumbura‘s Niyakabiga dist on Presidential election day in #Burundi pic.twitter.com/YIkT4rE88p
— Hans Solo (@thandojo) July 22, 2015
Dopo tre turni elettorali probabile riconferma del presidente del #Burundi. Si teme la guerra civile. #Politica #Esteri
— Lorenzo Nicolao (@LolloNicolao) July 22, 2015
Boxes of votes, voting kits from disputed presidential election in #Burundi. Results could be announced by Friday. pic.twitter.com/AWvCQgjz1D
— Zoe Flood (@Zoe_Flood) July 22, 2015
#Burundi: Months of govt crackdown on civ society, dozens killed, up to 167k have fled their homes. Not conditions for credible elections
— Samantha Power (@AmbassadorPower) July 21, 2015
As we hold our breath to know outcome of #Burundi elections, no one causing human rights abuses can escape accountability @AmnestyOnline
— Salil Shetty (@SalilShetty) July 22, 2015
The US says #Burundi‘s Presidential elections lack credibility, warn of sanctions against those destabilizing the country. #SABCNews
— Sarah Kimani (@sarahkimani) July 22, 2015
Disappointed #Burundi presidential elections going ahead. Conditions not right for credible, inclusive elections @jumuiya @_AfricanUnion
— Grant Shapps (@grantshapps) July 20, 2015
#Burundi gov is trying to run out the clock,have elections and declare that they negotiate anything except for the presidency #itwillnotwork
— Patrice Nzigamasabo (@pnzigamasabo) July 18, 2015
Darryl Linington
