Pierre Claver Kazihise, Chairman of the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) has said no international observers will be deployed in Burundi to supervise the elections set to take place on May 20 due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Pierre Claver Kazihise: “We have already granted authorization to seven international organizations to supervise the upcoming elections set on May 20”
At a press conference held in the economic capital Bujumbura this Wednesday, Mr. Kazihise has said “the free movement of people is no longer possible throughout the world because of Corona virus.”
He has said seven international organizations already based in Burundi have been granted authorization to supervise the upcoming elections expected to start on May 20.
He has added that the national observers including the Civil society organizations, religious denominations and other groups will also oversee the elections.
The chairman of the national electoral commission has also said the East African Community hasn’t yet contacted the election commission about any possible deployment of an observation mission.
“If a foreign delegation wants to oversee the elections, it asks an authorization to the electoral commission to get accreditation,” he has said.
On May 8, the Burundian Ministry in charge of East African Community submitted a correspondence to the Secretary General of the East African Community saying the election observation mission for the general election in Burundi has to abide by the measures aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus pandemic by being quarantined for 14 days.
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