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BUJUMBURA — Burundi’s re-elected president is urging unity after winning the contentious July 21 polls that the international community says were not credible.
In a televised speech on Thursday night, Pierre Nkurunziza said he would be a president for all, including those who did not vote for him.
He said that during his presidency “everyone will enjoy the same rights and opportunities without favouritism”.
The elections took place amid violence stemming from regular street protests against Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in office, which many saw as unconstitutional.
The UN had urged Burundi’s government to delay the elections until the situation was sufficiently calm to hold credible, free and fair elections.
Meanwhile, Burundi’s constitutional court has endorsed the re-election of President Pierre Nkurunziza for another five-year term, the constitutional court said Thursday afternoon.
“No irregularities were observed during the presidential poll election process or during the vote counting. Besides, no claims were made by candidates to the presidential poll,” said Charles Ndagijimana, president of the Burundian constitutional court in a press conference.
Ndagijimana however indicated that there was an “error” in calculating the percentage of votes obtained by candidates to the presidential poll.
“After deliberation, I declare that the July 21 presidential election was regularly held and I declare that Pierre Nkurunziza was elected President of Burundi for the next five years,” said Ndagijimana.
According to him, the term is to be counted when President Pierre Nkurunziza is sworn in.
The Burundian constitution provides that Nkurunziza will be sworn in on August 26.
During the July 21 presidential poll, President Nkurunziza got 69.41 percent of votes. Nkurunziza won over seven candidates including main opposition leader Agathon Rwasa who got 18.99 percent of votes. — AP/Xinhua.
Online Reporter