Gabriel Banzawitonde, APDR chairman says his party doesn’t appreciate the decision taken by the National Independent Electoral Commission to prevent the Burundian diaspora from voting in the elections of May 20. “The electoral body withdraws them the right to give their views in the elections of May 20,” he says adding that the COVID-19 outbreak should also affect the upcoming electoral campaign. He urges the electoral body to regularly meet all stakeholders in the 2020 elections to discuss different strategies to be used.
Phénias Nigaba: “It is impossible to organize elections abroad as the Burundian diaspora is confined and the flights suspended.”
As for Phénias Nigaba, Spokesperson of Sahwanya Frodebu party, CENI has taken a good decision amid the COVID-19 outbreak. He says Burundians are facing similar situation as other foreign countries. “It is impossible to organize elections abroad as the Burundian diaspora is confined and the flights suspended”, he says adding that the prevailing situation should change at any time. Nigaba exhorts the government to impose urgent measures if necessary to protect the population. “There is a need to avoid the situation becoming chaotic,” he says.
On 15 April, Ezéchiel Nibigira, Minister of Foreign Affairs informed the Burundian diplomatic missions abroad that the general elections of May 20 have been suspended outside the country.
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