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Embattled Burundi President Sets New Dates for Elections Embattled Burundi President Sets New Dates for Elections
(about 9 hours later)
BUJUMBURA, Burundi — President Pierre Nkurunziza declared new dates for the disputed elections in Burundi, state radio announced on Tuesday, continuing a battle with opposition parties that has upended the nation for weeks. BUJUMBURA, Burundi — President Pierre Nkurunziza declared new dates for disputed elections in Burundi, state radio announced on Tuesday, continuing a battle with opposition parties that has upended the nation for weeks.
Mr. Nkurunziza’s decision to run for another term has enraged opponents who contend that it violates the Constitution that helped end a devastating civil war. The dispute has led to street protests, a coup attempt and dozens of deaths.Mr. Nkurunziza’s decision to run for another term has enraged opponents who contend that it violates the Constitution that helped end a devastating civil war. The dispute has led to street protests, a coup attempt and dozens of deaths.
But while the elections are being postponed, they will still take place, state radio announced: The presidential vote will be held on July 15, while the legislative elections will be on June 29. But while the elections are being postponed, they will still take place, state radio announced: The presidential vote will be held on July 15, while legislative elections will be on June 29.
The new dates are very close to a proposal made by the electoral commission on Sunday, which had suggested June 26 for the legislative elections. The new dates are very close to a proposal made Sunday by the electoral commission, which suggested June 26 for the legislative elections.
The political opposition boycotted a Sunday meeting with the commission, saying that the composition of the commission had rendered it invalid. Political opponents of the president say that the commission must have five people, with both men and women, and that it must represent all ethnic groups. The political opposition boycotted a Sunday meeting with the commission, saying that the composition of the commission rendered it invalid. Political opponents of the president say that the commission must have five people, including both men and women, and that it must represent all ethnic groups.
“The current electoral commission is made of three men, and all of them belong to the Hutu ethnic group,” said Frédéric Bamvunginyumvira, an opposition leader.“The current electoral commission is made of three men, and all of them belong to the Hutu ethnic group,” said Frédéric Bamvunginyumvira, an opposition leader.
“The electoral commission does not exist,” he said. “It cannot convene any meeting.”“The electoral commission does not exist,” he said. “It cannot convene any meeting.”
Some legal specialists agreed, saying that two commission members had resigned. Some legal specialists agreed, noting that two commission members had resigned. “Members of the electoral commission cannot make any decision unless they are at least four,” said Jean Baptiste Nduwayo, a jurist.
“Members of the electoral commission cannot make any decision unless they are at least four,” said Jean Baptiste Nduwayo, a jurist. Protests against Mr. Nkurunziza’s effort to obtain a third term in office have been going on since April 26. Claude Ngomirakiza, 23, a university student, is among the protesters. “As long as President Nkurunziza is a presidential candidate, I will not go to vote,” Mr. Ngomirakiza said.
Protests against Mr. Nkurunziza’s third term have been going on since April 26. Under the previous electoral schedule, the legislative elections were set for June 5 and the presidential election for June 26. East African leaders, in a meeting in Tanzania, had urged Burundi to delay elections for at least a month and a half.
Claude Ngomirakiza, 23, a university student, is among the protesters.
“As long as President Nkurunziza is a presidential candidate, I will not go to vote,” Mr. Ngomirakiza said.
Under the previous electoral schedule, the legislative elections were set for June 5 and the presidential election for June 26.
East African leaders, in a meeting in Tanzania, had urged Burundi to delay elections for at least a month and a half.