Burundi’s electoral commission has confirmed the country’s incumbent president has won a third term in office. Pierre Nkurunziza clinched his
ADVERTISEMENTBurundi’s electoral commission has confirmed the country’s incumbent president has won a third term in office.
Pierre Nkurunziza clinched his controversial third mandate with almost 80 percent of the vote.
This will be a third five-year tenure for Nkurunziza, despite the legal limit being two.
#Burundi's Nkurunziza elected to controversial third term as president with 69.41 percent of the vote http://t.co/RW67a5mPJa …
— Lucy Westcott (@lvzwestcott) July 24, 2015
Opposition
The main opposition party got 20 percent of the vote.
The party’s name was left on ballot papers despite it boycotting the poll.
International critics, led by the US and EU, say it lacks credibility.
Turnout high
At more than 73 percent, turnout was higher than many had predicted. It was significantly lower in the capital Bujumbura, where there has been a lot of violence. At least 70 people have been killed in clashes across Burundi since April.
BURUNDI- The mother of Idris Mavukiro, an opposition supporter mourns the death of her son in Bujumbura. By
fil</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFP?src=hash">#AFP</a> <a href="http://t.co/jZJHcLLXE3">pic.twitter.com/jZJHcLLXE3</a></p>— Frédérique Geffard (fgeffardAFP) July 23, 2015