BUJUMBURA, Burundi — Burundi’s ruling party, CNDD-FDD, secured all 100 elective seats in the country’s National Assembly following last week’s legislative elections, the electoral commission announced Tuesday. But the Catholic Church and some opposition voices have raised concerns over the fairness of the vote.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) said the party received 96.51% of the vote — about 5.85 million out of 6 million registered voters — in results presented in Bujumbura in the presence of local and international figures.
The commission said the 111-seat parliament will include 100 elected members, eight co-opted to ensure ethnic and gender balance, and three from the Twa minority group.
Catholic Church Raises Concerns
In an announcement, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi expressed concern over what it described as “numerous irregularities,” including reported intimidation, lack of transparency, and the presence of unauthorized individuals inside polling stations.
“The elections generally took place in a calm atmosphere,” the bishops wrote, “but certain practices observed during the process did not reflect the spirit of free and fair elections.”
The Catholic Church, which deployed thousands of election observers nationwide, called on the electoral commission and authorities to reflect on the shortcomings and improve transparency in future votes.
Opposition Parties Speak Out
Opposition groups, including the historical party UPRONA, echoed similar concerns. While UPRONA reportedly received a small share of the vote — including 2.87% in the central region of Gitega — it questioned whether the electoral environment allowed for genuine competition. Citing that the outcome was expected but the electoral process remained deeply flawed.
CENI president Prosper Ntahorwamiye dismissed concerns about fairness, calling the elections “inclusive and credible.”
Regional Results
The CNDD-FDD reported overwhelming victories in all major regions:
- Bujumbura: 97.07%
- Butanyerera: 98.79%
- Buhumuza: 96.59%
- Burunga: 95.81%
- Gitega: 93.64%
Broader Implications
The CNDD-FDD has led Burundi since the end of the civil war in 2005. While its supporters credit the party for maintaining peace and national unity, critics and rights groups have accused it of restricting freedoms and consolidating power ahead of elections.
Final results are expected to be certified by the Constitutional Court on June 20th, 2025.
