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Burundian Vote for New President Wednesday Despite Coronavirus Threat

VOA News

   Voters in Burundi will choose the country's new president, members
   ofparliament andlocal officials in Wednesday's elections, which are
   tempered by the challenge of the coronavirus outbreak and allegations
   of voter suppression.

   The concern prompted the African Union Commission and United Nations to
   release a joint statementSundayurging the defense and security forces
   and state-owned media to fully contribute to preserving a stable and
   peaceful environment,apre-requisite for free, inclusive, fair,
   transparent and credible elections in Burundi.

   Burundi's election marks the country's first step in moving away from
   PresidentPierreNkurunziza's15-year reign, which has beenmarred by
   allegations of human rights abuses, and hiscontroversial decisionto
   seek a third term five years ago, which propelled the country into an
   economic crisis.

   General Evariste Ndayishimiye, the presidential candidate for the
   ruling CNDD-FDD party is considered the frontrunner among six other
   candidates.

   Ndayishimiye has suggested votersnotfear thecoronavirus, saying "God
   loves Burundi and if there are people who have tested positive, it is
   so that God may manifest his power in Burundi."

   Burundi's leadership has largely ignored the threat of the coronavirus,
   allowing large political rallies leading up to the vote and imposing no
   restrictionsonpeople'smovement.

   The government also just expelled,with no explanation,four top World
   Health Organization (WHO) officialschanging theresponse to the
   epidemic.

   So far, Burundi has confirmed 42 cases and one death from the virus,
   but some doctors have expressed concern the government isnotrevealing
   the full impact of the virus on the population.

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