Burundi to hold Presidential elections today despite COVID-19

Despite Confirming 42 cases of COVID-19, Burundi is holding its presidential election today, Wednesday, 20th May 2020.

More than five million people are eligible to take part in the poll, which could mark Burundi’s first peaceful transfer of power since independence in 1962.

Polling stations will open at 6:00am and close at 4:00pm local time. Provincial results are expected by May 26 and official results by June 4.

Seven candidates are vying to succeed President Pierre Nkurunziza, who is stepping down after 15 years in power.

So far, Burundi Active cases of COVID -19 are 21 with 20 Recoveries and one death.

It’s colorful, soccer-playing, and prayerful authoritarian president Pierre Nkurunziza seems to have abandoned his effort to run for re-election after altering the constitution to allow him to run until the 2030s.

He has been in power since 2005 and his bid to stay in office has reopened all wounds that threaten to resurrect the Hutu/Tutsi divide that’s led to past bloody conflicts—one of which lasted from 1993 to 2005.

Candidates have promised to fix the struggling economy and create jobs for the youth as well as increase investment in infrastructure and key sectors such as farming.