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Burundians Vote Monday for President Amid Opposition Boycott

   Peter Clottey 27 June 2010
   Ban Ki-Moon na Perezida Petero Nkurunziza i Bujumbura

Photo: Leon Masengo

   United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon with Burundi's President
   Pierre Nkurunziza in the capital, Bujumbura

   A   leading  member  of  Burundiâs  ruling  CNDD-FDD  party  says  the
   government  has tightened security to ensure the presidential election
   scheduled to begin Monday morning is credible and devoid of violence.

   Onisime  Nduwimana  said  the  election  will  continue  as originally
   planned  despite  the  refusal of opposition parties to participate in
   the vote.

   âThe  ruling  party  is ready to go to the election in Burundi. And, I
   think  that  all  Burundians are ready to go to elect the president of
   Burundi,â he said.

   Analysts  say  incumbent  President  Pierre  Nkurunziza  will win by a
   landslide vote after the main challenger, Agathon Rwasa, leader of the
   opposition  National  Liberation  Forces  (FNL),  pulled  out  of  the
   presidential election.

   Other  opposition  parties  joined  the  FNL  in  boycotting  the vote
   claiming  the  Independent  Electoral  Commission  (CENI)  rigged last
   monthâs  local  election for the CNDD-FDD, a charge the electoral body
   denies.

   Ruling  CNDD-FDD  official Nduwimana said the opposition boycotted the
   poll  because  they  were  afraid  of  losing  to  incumbent President
   Nkurunziza.

   âThe election will be good and, you know, the other candidates for the
   election  they  (were)  sure  that  they donât have the people who are
   ready  to elect them. And, they left because they had to pay something
   like  $15000  and that amount is a good amount to pay it for nothing,â
   Nduwimana said.

   He  maintains  that  the  election  will  be  free  and  fair  despite
   opposition rigging claims.

   Nduwimana  also said that the presence of both local and international
   poll  observers  to  monitor  Mondayâs election shows the ruling party
   wants a fair vote.

   Observers  say the boycott will seriously undermine the credibility of
   the election and weaken Burundiâs fledgling democracy.

   But,  electoral  chairman  Ndayicariye said, in spite of the boycotts,
   the presidential election will proceed as originally planned.

   âIn  2005,  we had (only) one candidate and the election was organized
   and  in  Burundi  (it)  is  not  the  first  time we have had a single
   candidate. They (the opposition) were invited to participate, but they
   said  itâs  not  good  to  continue  to  proceed participating in this
   election. Itâs their own political will,â Ndayicariye said.

   Opposition  groups  criticized  President Nkurunzizaâs ruling CNDD-FDD
   party of intimidation and harassment.

   This  follows  the  arrest  of six leading opposition party members by
   Burundi police after they were accused of plotting to disrupt Mondayâs
   presidential  poll â a charge the leaders denied as the ruling partyâs
   attempt to destroy their party.

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