Burundi's bishops say fair vote impossible, withdraw from election commissions

May 28, 2015

Catholic priests should not serve on election commissions in Burundi, because of irregularities in the voting process, the country’s bishops have announced.

“We cannot make ourselves guarantors of elections full of gaps,” said Bishop Gervais Bashimiyubusa of Ngozi, the president of the bishops’ conference. The plans for legislative elections on June 5 are in jeopardy because of unrest throughout the country, and opposition parties have ceased campaigning because of restrictions imposed by the ruling government.

Political protests engulfed Burundi after President Pierre Nkurunziza indicated that he would seek a 3rd term in office, in violation of the country’s constitution. The Catholic bishops, along with the US and the European Union, have appealed to Nkurunziza to abandon that plan.

 

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Further information:

• The Church withdraws from the election process: "we cannot make ourselves guarantors of elections full of gaps" (Fides)
• Burundi's president must abandon bid for 3rd term: bishops demand (CWN, 5/13)