NAIROBI – Concerns over the democratic process in Burundi are mounting following parliamentary elections that were heavily criticized by rights groups and opposition candidates. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the June 5 election, in which the ruling CNDD-FDD party claimed a sweeping victory, was marred by intimidation, voter coercion, and electoral fraud.
Preliminary results released by the electoral commission show that the CNDD-FDD secured a staggering 96 percent of the vote, winning all 100 seats in parliament. However, opposition parties and civil society organizations have rejected the outcome, alleging widespread manipulation and suppression of dissent.
In a detailed statement released Thursday, Human Rights Watch accused Burundian authorities of using aggressive tactics to silence voters and guarantee a total victory. The watchdog said it interviewed activists, journalists, voters, and even members of the ruling party’s youth wing to compile a damning report.
“Ruling party officials and youths intimidated, harassed and threatened the population and censored media coverage to secure a landslide victory,” said HRW. The organization pointed to a climate of fear created by youth militias and government forces in the run-up to the elections.
HRW’s senior Great Lakes researcher, Clementine de Montjoye, labeled the electoral process as “devoid of genuine political competition,” emphasizing that the CNDD-FDD “took no chances.” She added, “Burundi’s democracy has been hollowed out, with a ruling party unaccountable to its people and unwilling to tolerate dissent, even as economic desperation grows.”
Opposition and Voters Claim Forced Voting in Burundi
According to voter testimonies collected by HRW, individuals were forced or coerced into voting for the ruling party. A particularly alarming claim came from a voter who said, “The head of the polling station himself told me to vote for the ruling party.” Another witness confirmed that Imbonerakure, the ruling party’s youth league, stood guard at polling stations, pressuring voters and monitoring turnout.
In some areas, the reported number of votes cast even exceeded the number of registered voters, raising further doubts about the integrity of the election. Journalists, under threat of censorship, told HRW they were explicitly instructed by election officials not to report irregularities, and some local reporters corroborated these instructions when speaking anonymously to AFP.
President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who came to power in June 2020 following the sudden death of longtime leader Pierre Nkurunziza, has been walking a tightrope between pledges of reform and autocratic control. Despite occasional gestures toward transparency, his administration has continued to face accusations of human rights abuses, media suppression, and a failure to promote political pluralism.
Observers suggest that the latest election results, coupled with the brutal methods reportedly used to secure them, indicate a shift toward greater authoritarianism. “Without credible opposition, this election only further entrenches authoritarian rule and pushes Burundians further into a deeply rooted governance crisis,” said de Montjoye.
The electoral controversy comes at a time when Burundi’s economy is on the brink of collapse. The country, one of the poorest in the Great Lakes region, is grappling with severe fuel shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, and sky-high inflation. The World Bank estimates inflation is hovering around 40 percent, further burdening ordinary citizens.
The economic crisis has been exacerbated by reduced international aid and the growing humanitarian pressure of refugees fleeing violence in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. Analysts warn that continued political instability could discourage donor support and worsen the country’s fragile economic and humanitarian situation.
Human Rights Watch and other rights organizations are calling on the international community to take a stronger stance on Burundi’s political situation. They urge regional bodies such as the African Union (AU) and East African Community (EAC) to investigate the election process and push for reforms that ensure transparency, fairness, and respect for human rights.
So far, international reactions have been muted, though the European Union and United Nations have previously expressed concern over shrinking political space in Burundi.
The 2025 parliamentary elections in Burundi have highlighted the deepening crisis of governance and civil liberties in the country. With the ruling party dominating the political landscape through coercion and fear, and no credible opposition left to challenge its authority, the nation faces an uncertain future.
The combination of political repression, economic hardship, and weakened democratic institutions poses a serious threat not only to Burundians but to regional stability in Central Africa. As the dust settles, the world watches to see whether Burundi will reverse its course—or continue sliding into authoritarian rule.
Source- EWN
