BURUNDI: Electoral process ends with local poll

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

BUJUMBURA, 26 Sep 2005 (IRIN) - Burundi's electoral process for 2005 ended on Friday with elections for local heads of villages.

The country's electoral calendar began in February with a referendum on the post-transition constitution during which an overwhelming majority voted for the draft document.

The head of the National Electoral Commission, Paul Ngarambe, said voters went to polling stations countrywide on Friday to elect 14,560 local leaders out of 44,724 candidates who were all contesting as independent candidates.

The voting marked the first village-level elections in the country's history. Previously, local administrators appointed such leaders.

However, contrary to past elections in 2005, voters did not show much interest in the poll. In many polling stations, voters started casting their ballots at 0700. although the polls started at 0600.

"Each time polls follow each other within a short interval, at least 10 percent of voters do not show up," Ngarambe said in reaction to the possibility that a low voter turnout would be recorded.

Local leaders are mandated to arbitrate and settle disputes in their communities as well as propose and oversee development schemes for their community.

Incidents of violence were recorded in various parts of the country during Friday's polls.

In the northern province of Kayanza, a civilian and three rebels loyal to the Forces nationales de liberation (FNL) of Agathon Rwasa were killed on Thursday night in an attack blamed on the FNL.

Army spokesman Maj Adolphe Manirakiza said several properties in the area were looted during the attack.

In Buganda, in the northwestern province of Cibitoke, unidentified gunmen also killed three civilians on Thursday in an attack.

However, Manirakiza said security measures had been taken to protect voters and polling stations throughout the election day.

The country's electoral process peaked on 26 August with the inauguration of a former rebel leader, Pierre Nkurunziza, as president.

The country is emerging from a 12-year civil war in which up to 300,000 have died and millions others displaced.

[ENDS]