The applications of three independents who have registered to campaign for the upcoming referendum have been all rejected by the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI).
Pierre Claver Ndayicariye: “The candidacies of three independents were rejected because they contained irregularities”.
Pierre Claver Ndayicariye, Chairman of CENI says the candidatures of Silas Simbandumwe, Jean Daniel Gerero, and MP Fabien Banciryanino were refused because they contained some irregularities.
Mr Ndayicariye says Silas Simbandumwe decided to withdraw his candidacy himself and CENI had noticed confusing information on his identity card. “The names of the province and commune written on his ID do not exist in Burundi,” he says.
For Jean Daniel Gerero, CENI chairman says the inquiries into his character have motivated the withdrawal of his name from the list of independents. “The commission also contacted his family that confirmed its doubts and asked the rejection of his candidature”.
Ndayicariye says MP Fabien Banciryanino is a member of Amizeroy’Abarundi coalition and the latter has already registered for the referendum campaign. “After the commission has asked the institutions, it found that Baciryanino is an MP who represents ‘Amizero y’Abarundi’ coalition. Consequently, he could not be admitted as an independent candidate”.
The chairman of CENI says there remain 26 political parties and one coalition of independents. He also says the draft decree to open the electoral campaign scheduled for May 17 has already been submitted to be examined by competent authorities.
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