The chairman of OLUCOME, a corruption watchdog, deplores the use of state vehicles and public funds in the referendum campaign. He also denounces the transport of activists in trucks.
A state vehicle during the referendum campaign in Bugendana commune of Gitega province.
“The observatory for the fight against corruption and economic embezzlement, OLUCOME, is taken aback by the use of government-owned vehicles and public funds by the ruling party during the referendum campaign,” said Gabriel Rufyiri, president of OLUCOME on Friday, May 4. The ruling party uses these vehicles after removing or covering license plates. A loss by the state of several millions of Burundian francs, especially regarding the consumption of fuel, he said.
Mr Rufyiri also criticizes the granting of mission expenses to some authorities who go to the referendum campaign. “Other financial means of the state are used to buy the refreshments of the activists of the ruling party after the campaign sessions. This is against the law. “Article 69 of the current Constitution prohibits the use of funds obtained through illegal practices and corruption to finance political parties”.
The chairman of OLUCOME also deplores the fact that several state officials are absent from work for the referendum campaign in violation of the law. Worse enough, most of them do not even ask permission. Mr. Rufyiri urges the government to stop granting mission expenses to the CNDD-FDD authorities who participate in the referendum campaign sessions.
This corruption watchdog also regrets that political parties transport their members in vehicles intended to transport coal or other goods.
“They do not have insurance to carry these people. He points a finger at CNDD-FDD, UPRONA, FNL, Sahwanya FRODEBU, FROLINA parties and Amizero y’Abarundi Coalition.
Gabriel Rufyiri calls on the government to stop this illegal transport causing accidents. “The population should refuse to be carried in these vehicles intended to transport the goods.
The government defends itself
Philipe Nzobonariba, Secretary General and Spokesman for the government, denies these accusations: “No financial means of the State were used to finance the party in power during this referendum campaign. CNDD-FDD uses its own means. ”
Nzobonariba also argues that the law prohibits the use of state vehicles in the electoral campaign with the exception of senior officials of the country particularly the President of the Republic, the Speaker of the National Assembly and his deputies, etc. Vehicles ensuring their safety must always accompany them.
About vehicles without license plates, Roger Bankibigwira, commander of the Traffic Police (PSR), said any vehicle without a license plate is not allowed to circulate. The police launched a campaign to seize all vehicles without license plates a few months ago. He, however, recognizes that these vehicles still circulate.
Félix Mpozeriniga, Civil Service Minister, assured that the referendum campaign does not suspend the activities of civil servants: “Every employee of the State who wants to participate in the electoral campaign must first have the permission of his/her line manager, except the day of the vote.”
He also clarifies the issue of length of leave: one or two days maximum. “Those who are absent without permission violate the labor code,” he concludes.
Written by Parfait Gahama
and translated by Pierre Emmanuel Ngendakumana
IWACU Open Data
