Burundi Elections Postponed as Protests Against President Continue

Protests against President Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term have led to the postponement of Burundi’s elections.

A Burundi official has announced that presidential and parliamentary elections have been postponed.

Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, has been rocked by weeks of protests following the April 25 announcement of President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in office. At least 20 people have died in street battles with police.

The Presidential adviser for media and information Willy Nyamitwe said, on Thursday, that they are waiting for a proposal from the electoral commission on the new dates for elections. Parliamentary elections were scheduled for Friday while presidential polls were slated for June 26.

Those opposed to Nkurunziza’s re-election bid says he is violating the constitution’s two-term limit for presidents. Nkurunziza maintains that he has the right to stand because for his first term he was elected by parliament and not a popular vote.