The Burundian National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) has announced it has started voter registration across the country for the upcoming constitutional referendum in May and its general elections in 2020.
The current draft constitution which will be tested during the referendum in May 2018 allows President Pierre Nkurunziza to run again for Presidency.
The draft constitution also extends the Presidential term from five years stipulated in the 2005 constitution to seven years and gives President Nkurunziza another two consecutive terms for the President of the East African nation.
The electoral commission agents will be at registration centres every day from 0730 hrs until 1730 hrs, even on Saturday and Sunday until February 17, CENI president Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye announced on Thursday on national radio.
UN and Burundi local human rights groups have criticized the move, arguing that making changes to the constitution could see President Nkurunziza cling onto power for another decade or more.
But Nkurunziza’s supporters say it’s the sovereign right of Burundi to amend its constitution, and it’s only the referendum that will determine the wishes of Burundians not foreigners. However, activists disagree.
“The referendum is being engineered by President Nkurunziza and not the people of Burundi,” said Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa, Burundi’s most prominent human rights activist.
The 10-day registration period of voters will end on Feb. 17. After registration, voters will be given receipts that will allow them to get voter cards to use in the general elections in 2020.
According to the Electoral Commission, 3,828 registration centers will open for voter registration throughout the country.
Burundi officials have denied assertion by a United Nations commission of inquiry and human rights groups of extrajudicial killings, calling the allegations part of a propaganda campaign by activists seeking to discredit the government.
Last month, the Secretary General of COMESA Sindiso Ngwenya was in Burundi and observed that the government of Burundi is ready to host the 2018 COMESA Heads of State Summit citing the various interventions put in place regarding summit preparation. This marked a major diplomatic milestone for Burundi government.
On Tuesday this week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres castigated the bid by Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza to make changes to the constitution.
In response to Guterres, Burundi’s first Deputy President, Gaston Sindimwo said the government has consulted all Burundians before planning to amend the constitution.