Eyes on Constitutional Court as Rwasa contests electoral results

According to CENI Burundi’s ruling party CNDD-FDD garnered 68% of the total votes while National Congress for Liberty CNL’s presidential candidate Agathon Rwasa obtained 24%. PHOYO| FILE

Burundi’s main opposition leader and deputy speaker of the parliament Agathon Rwasa this Thursday 28^th.May. 2020 resorted to the constitutional court, after accusing the Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) of announcing ‘false results’ of the May 20^th presidential Elections.

According to CENI Burundi’s ruling party CNDD-FDD garnered 68% of the total votes while National Congress for Liberty (CNL) presidential candidate Agathon Rwasa obtained 24%.

“The electoral process had shortcomings and monumental errors that falsified the results so we submitted tangible evidences to the court,” said Mr. Rwasa.

Earlier this week CNL released a statement alleging CENI of lack of independence accusing the officials of allying with the ruling party CNDD-FDD, “CNL observers were denied access to polling stations and excluded its mandatory agents to follow up the vote counting”, the statement read.

CENI chairman Pierre Claver Kazihise rubbished the accusation and hailed political parties of their dedication towards a peaceful and democratic electoral process, “the elections were conducted in a conducive environment where voters casted their votes freely,” he said.

Burundi Catholic Church raised concern over some irregularities that were witnessed by their electoral observers at some polling stations.

“We deplore irregularities regarding with liberty and transparency of electoral process and the equity consideration of candidates and electors”, said Joachim Ntahondereye president of Burundi Catholic Church Counsel (CECAD).

After the announcement of the provisional results by CENI, the opposition party had only 3 days to contest the results or present theirs allegations supported with proofs to the constitutional court. The constitutional court is expected to pronounce the judgement within 8 days on the complaints submitted.

Seven candidates competed in the presidential race to replace the incumbent president Pierre Nkurunziza who had ruled the country for 15 years, the ruling party led in both presidential and legislative elections followed by CNL and UPRONA in the third position.

Despite lack of international observer mission in the country, Burundi government said that nine countries had applied to observe the elections through their embassies in Burundi.

The countries include Tanzania, Kenya, China and Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi’s Catholic Church deployed 2716 observers country wide to follow up the electoral process.