BURUNDI POLLS! Observers Speak Out on 14-Day Isolation: It’s a clear sign of fear of being scrutinized

By Francis Otucu

Burundi is scheduled to hold its general elections on May 20.

However, it emerged earlier this week that authorities had warned that observers sent by the East African Community will be placed under mandatory 14-day quarantine.

This means the election observers will not be able to follow up the electoral process because the quarantine period will elapse two days after the elections are held.

According to a letter written by the Burundi government that was signed on May 8, “It is mandatory for all persons, whether Burundians, Residents in Burundi or East African Community Citizens, entering the Republic of Burundi, to respect the 14 days quarantine period.”

However, in the same letter, the government proposed that, “It is advisable that the EAC Secretariat should delegate among the stakeholders who might be already present in Burundi and to whom the 14-day quarantine doesn’t apply, to serve as the East African Community Technical Observation Mission.”

Critics say the Independent National Electoral Commission has refused to publish the updated list of eligible voters adding that there is a possibility that numbers will be made up on Election Day.

An independent electoral expert, Crispin Kaheru says Burundi’s stance towards foreign observers comes off as a clear sign of fear of being scrutinized.

“Already there are concerns about failure by the Burundi administration to publish the updated voters’ register ahead of the approaching election. I think there is a lot that is being kept under wraps,” Kaheru says and without observers, he adds, “it is difficult to paint a picture of what kind of election the Barundi will be treated to.”

Kaheru says, so far, the May 20, 2020 polls have not shown any signs of transparency. 

“So far, we can comfortably say, that, that election has not generally met the basic threshold of transparency and indeed that alone can compromise the credibility of the entire election,” he notes.