In the meeting with political parties, religious denominations and civil societies in Bujumbura city this October 7th, the chairman of the Provincial Independent Electoral Commission (CEPI) in the economic capital of Burundi has asked the former to bring their candidates for communal commissions until October 11th.
Térence Bizimana: “A member of the Communal Independent Electoral Commission must be a native Burundian, who loves their country”
“We will accept applications for communal electoral commissions from 9 to 11 October,” says Térence Bizimana, Chairman of the Provincial Independent Electoral Commission-CEPI in Bujumbura city.
The communal independent electoral commissions-CECI will be inclusive, though they may not include all political parties or organizations working in Bujumbura city, he adds.
He says one of the criteria to select candidates for communal electoral commissions is patriotism. “A member of CECI must be a native Burundian, who loves their country,” he adds.
Mr. Bizimana asks political parties, religious denominations and civil societies to nominate candidates who are responsible, available and have right to vote. “They must show professional expertise, be neutral and impartial,” he says.
CEPI chairman also says the communal electoral commission is made up of five people.” It is impossible for every political party or organization operating in the commune to be represented,” he adds.
He calls on CECI future members to never accept instructions or orders from their political parties or organizations once they start their job.
Amédée Ahmad Bangaryabagabo, one of the representatives of Bujumbura city natives says CECI members should be natives of the capital city.
He deplores the fact that people who represent Bujumbura city in different institutions are not often natives of the city.
“Women should be highly represented in the communal electoral commissions,” says Evelyne Nininahazwe, representative of women union in Bujumbura city.
She says CECI women members should come from the union of women. “It has women from different political parties, religious denominations and civil societies,” she adds.
Claude Bukeyeneza, representative of CNL party in Bujumbura city calls on members of CEPI to be neutral and transparent in the selection of CECI members.
“Do not allow one political party to have two members while others have none,” he says.
As for Zéphyrin Matata, representative of CNDD-FDD party in Ntahangwa commune, all political parties or organizations cannot be represented in the communal electoral commissions.
“CEPI has to choose people who are able to perform activities assigned to them regardless of their political parties or organizations,” he says.
The meeting has been organized after members of the provincial independent electoral commissions-CEPI from all provinces of the country swore in on October 1st.
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