Burundi is holding its first legislative elections since 2020, with voters casting their ballots on Thursday to choose lawmakers for the 123-seat National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. Most members are directly elected via party lists, while the rest are co-opted to meet gender and ethnic quotas. This election is widely seen as a test of President Evariste Ndayishimiye’s leadership, who came to office in 2020.
Ndayishimiye’s National Council for the Defence of Democracy–Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD–FDD) party secured a supermajority in the 2020 poll. While he has been praised for gradually ending years of isolationism under his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza’s chaotic and bloody rule, the country’s human rights record remains poor. There have been ongoing reports of repression against journalists, activists, and opposition figures. The media watchdog Reporters Without Borders warned of escalating violence against journalists ahead of the polls, stating that “the climate of fear created by the security forces attempted to muzzle the essential work of the independent press in the run-up to the vote.”
This election is significant as it marks the first time legislative and local elections are being held separately from the presidential poll, which is scheduled to take place in 2027. This follows a constitutional amendment that extended the presidential term from five to seven years. The vote is being closely monitored, both locally and internationally, as a test of Burundi’s commitment to political reform and democratic governance.
The outcome of these elections will be crucial in determining the country’s future trajectory. Will Ndayishimiye’s party maintain its dominance, or will the opposition make significant gains? The international community is watching closely, given the country’s history of authoritarian rule and ongoing human rights concerns. The elections will undoubtedly have implications for Burundi’s relations with the international community and its progress towards democratic governance. As the results are announced, it will be clear whether Burundi is taking steps towards a more democratic future or reverting to its past patterns of authoritarianism.
