After Burundi votes in a tense presidential election, the court upholds poll results. However, opposition leader Agathon Rwasa says the polls weren’t convincing. But, a panel of judges ruled the poll fraud complaints null and void. Burundi lawful court declared governing party’s nominee Evariste Ndayishimiye, the winner.
Meanwhile, he is the president of Burundi, as pronounced by the election commission board on Monday. Evariste is a former army general chosen by the CNDD-FDD party. He won with sixty-eight percent of the May 20 votes. 5.11 million registered voters were eligible to participate. At least now Burundi has a new president after Nkurunziza fifteen years rule.
The Presidential race and the Poll results
Burundi presidential elections involved seven candidates, including the opposition leader Agathon Rwasa. The leader of the rival party National Freedom Council (CNL) came out as the runners up. He managed 24 percent of votes. Moreover, the opposition accused the constitutional court of following governing party orders.
However, Rwasa’s CNL did not provide enough evidence for its claims. Neither is an immediate reaction. But Rwasa says that he will send the matter to the East African Court of justice based in Tanzania.
Ndayishimiye, now 52 years and handpicked by CNDD-FDD senior, is to succeed the former president Pierre. According to the reports, Mr. Evariste will take a presidency oath in August for seven years of consent.
Mr. Pierre praised Major Evariste for his victory. Sure, the win confirms that most of the citizens adhere to the values and projects he represents. Mr. Nkrunziza also says he is lucky to witness the past as he gives his last comments. Pierre also wishes the country good luck as they move on with the current elected president.
Political and economic chaos
Back in 2015, he led a notorious bid for a third term reign, which led the country to economic and political turmoil. Five years ago, the coup made many people flee to nearby states to escape violence. Indeed, this is one of the common effects of political war.
Since there was a widespread abuse by security forces, human rights groups still press for justice. Following the tense crusade flawed by inciting rhetoric and sporadic violence, Rwasa’s freedom council dismissed the votes. The board says that it was an electoral mockery, citing bullying of voters, ballot filling, proxy voting, and arrest of rival polling agents.
Although the East African Community issued a clean health bill on Tuesday, the Burundi Bishops seminar criticized the behavior during the polling. Besides, they said that some people chased observers from different parties out of polling stations.
On Wednesday, the Western diplomats issued a joint statement, and they did not refer to any irregularities. Besides, they urged the opposition party to pursue legal paths if the election outcome isn’t satisfying to them.
Conclusion
In my opinion, the opposition should take on a legal path to satisfy their claim. We don’t have to fight against each other to attain justice. After all, Leaders should be role models to the current and future generations. Start the journey by mobilizing the importance of good leadership in our society.
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