Burundi elections postponed, HRW researcher barred

Burundi postponed local elections scheduled for Friday by two days because of a delay in distributing ballot papers on Thursday. A series of regional elections is expected to last a month leading up to the presidential election.

AFP

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Pierre Claver Ndayicariye said on television that the numbers on the boxes containing ballot papers did not match the quantities they actually held and there have been discrepancies between the printing and the actual number of ballot papers delivered.

He said the two-day delay will allow the Independent National Electoral Commission to receive the correct number of ballot papers.

“The distribution of voters’ cards will continue till 5pm on Saturday,” he said. “The Independent National Electoral Commission calls on everyone to stay calm.”

Burundi's 13-year civil war ended in 2006, and observers are heralding Burundi's first free and fair elections. But there are also concerns that the presidential campaigning could turn violent.

Pierre Nkurunziza is the incumbent president. He has been in power since 2005.

New York-based Human Rights Watch has already reported several political assassinations in the election run-up.

On Wednesday, the Burundian government revoked the work permit of Human Rights Watch researcher Neela Ghoshal, accusing her of prejudice against the country's institutions.