Evariste Ndayishimiye, Burundi's Presidential candidate of the ruling party the National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD), reacts to supporters during the last day of their campaign in Bujumbura on May 16, 2020. (PHOTO / AFP)
BUJUMBURA - Burundi's Constitutional Court on Thursday upheld the May 20 presidential poll results which showed Evariste Ndayishimiye of the ruling party as the winner.
Charles Ndagijimana, president of the Constitutional Court, dismissed the election irregularities reported by Burundi Catholic bishops and Agathon Rwasa, presidential candidate of the opposition National Council for Liberty party.
ALSO READ: Burundi expels national WHO head during election campaign
Ndayishimiye of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy won 68.72 percent of votes
Ndagijimana said the reports were unfounded, adding that no reported irregularity can taint the results of the elections.
Ndayishimiye of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy won 68.72 percent of votes and Rwasa got 24.19 percent in the results announced by the country's electoral commission on May 25.
Rwasa, who filed the case in the court on May 27, said he would appeal to the regional East African Community Court if the domestic court rejects his appeal.
The Burundian National Independent Human Rights Commission earlier said the elections were held in a "good and fair" manner.
The Constitutional Court ruling now paves way for Ndayishimiye to succeed current president Pierre Nkurunziza who has been in power since 2005.
READ MORE: Burundi thanks China for assistance
Under the country's new constitution promulgated in June 2018, the presidential term was extended from five to seven years and the president is allowed to serve two consecutive terms.
Ndayishimiye, born in 1968, was minister of home affairs and public security.
Copyright 1995 - 2024. All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily. Without written authorization from China Daily, such content shall not be republished or used in any form.
CHINA DAILY HONG KONG NEWS |
OPEN |