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Burundi Moves Ahead With May Election Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

VOA News

   The race to become Burundi's next president is officially underway as
   authorities proclaim God will protect citizens from
   thenovelcoronavirus, which has alreadyinfected 15peoplein the central
   African nationandcaused the deathofoneother.

   Seven candidates launched campaigns Monday, with large rallies that are
   off limits in other parts of Africa, where governments are mandating
   that people practice social distancing to curtail the spread of the
   virus.

   Burundi's presidential, legislative and municipal elections are
   scheduled for May20.Opposition groups accused President
   PierreNkurunziza'sadministrationof beingirresponsiblefor not delaying
   the election.

   Nkurunziza, whois stepping down from power andis apparently shunning
   measures to slow the spread of the virus, told supporters at a large
   rally Monday that he is backing General Evariste Ndayishimiye, the
   CNDD-FDD's presidentialcandidate.

   Nkurunziza's15-year tenurehas been marred by controversy, including his
   2015 decision to seek a thirdterm, which resulted in a deadly civil
   uprising.

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