Democracy destroyed by ruling party in Burundi

Human Rights Research Center
9 minutes ago
3 min read

June 19, 2025

HRRC strongly condemns the voter intimidation and unfair elections held in Burundi. The elections were not conducted freely or openly with opposition candidates being forcefully removed, a direct affront on democracy. Citizens of Burundi are entitled to have fair elections allowing them to elect the government of their choice.

All 100 seats of The National Assembly of Burundi were controversially won by the country’s veteran party, after the results of June’s parliamentary elections were broadcast during a live television ceremony. The announcement was immediately denounced by human rights groups who stated that the election had taken place in a way that had completely muted free speech, and had systematically restricted the role of opposition parties in the process.

The results confirmed that the CNDD-FDD (Conseil National pour la Défense de la Démocratie – Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie), who have been in power since 2005, won 96.5% of the vote, with Burundi’s leading opposition party, the CNL (Congrès national pour la liberté) winning only 0.6% of the vote.

The suppression of the CNL has been ongoing and widespread, evident in December 2024 when the electoral commission barred all CNL candidates from standing in the June 2025 election. While some were able to appeal, the suppression continued in the lead up to the election with supporters of the party being tracked down and unjustly imprisoned.

Tactics of intimidation continued on election day with individuals from the ruling party’s youth league, The Imbonerakure, being present outside polling stations and ordering people to vote only for the CNDD-FDD. Reports claim that members of the Catholic Church were blocked from entering to cast their vote as well, with a further allegation around pre-filled ballot papers being reported by witnesses.

While the condemnation from human rights groups and opposition parties has been unanimous, there have been other sections of the political spectrum who have praised the way the election was performed. One of which is the African Union (AU) who have been widely criticised for describing the voting process in Burundi as being conducted in a “climate of freedom and transparency”.

As the results were broadcast, there was little sign of celebration in the main city of Bujumbura, perhaps the clearest sign that the people of Burundi have lost complete faith in the democratic processes within their country.

Glossary

Allegation- A claim that someone has done something wrong, usually without proof yet.
Affront- An action or remark that causes outrage or offense.
African Union- A group of African countries that work together to promote peace, unity, and development across Africa.
Appeal- A request for a decision to be changed, especially in a legal or official context.
Ballot papers- The pieces of paper used by voters to make their choice in an election.
Barred- Prevented or blocked from entering or doing something.
Broadcast- To send out a program on TV, radio, or the internet so many people can hear or see it.
Condemnation- Strong disapproval of something, especially on moral grounds.
Controversially- In a way that causes public disagreement or argument.
Denounced- Publicly criticised or accused someone or something.
Intimidation- The act of frightening or threatening someone to make them do what you want.
League- a group or organisation of people who are part of the ruling party
Muted- Made quiet or less forceful; not expressed strongly or openly.
Polling stations- Official places where people go to vote during an election
Parliamentary- Related to a country's parliament (the part of government that makes laws).
Suppression- The act of stopping or controlling something, often by force (e.g. stopping free speech or protests).
Systematically- Done according to a fixed plan or system; methodically and regularly.
Tactics- Planned actions or methods used to achieve a goal, especially in a game, battle, or argument
Transparency- Being open, honest, and clear, especially about rules, actions, or decisions.
Unanimous- Agreed by everyone involved; having no disagreement.
Unjustly- In a way that is not fair or right.
Veteran party- A political party that has existed for a long time or has much experience.
Widespread- Happening or found over a large area or among many people.

Sources

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Democracy destroyed by ruling party in Burundi

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