Despite Opposition, Burundi Polls Underway Under Tension

Posted by African Examiner African News, Latest Headlines Tuesday, July 21st, 2015

Despite pronounced opposition to his ambition and call for the postponement, Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza is standing for the East African country Presidential Election, which still underway amidst fear and tension in various part of the country.

Voting commenced at 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT), after a night of gunfire as well as explosions which claimed two lives in Bujumbura, the Burundian capital.

While the opposition and President Nkurunziza’s critics described the election as unconstitutional, as he (Nkurunziza) is running for the third term, the Government blamed the opposition and accused it of provoking the violent protests.

The sporadic shootings began Monday and continued Tuesday, as the sound of gunfire was audible, in at least one district of the capital, as polling stations were about to open. A policeman and a civilian were believed to be among the five victims.

Many lives have been lost while several injured in the Burundi political violence, which started late April, when President Nkurunziza declared his intention to re-contest. Similarly, several Burundians have fled the country out of fear of being caught in the cross-fire.