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                Burundi Ruling Party Happy With Election Turnout

   by James Butty

   Burundi's ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces
   for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party said it is happy with the
   turnout in Monday's parliamentary elections despite an opposition
   boycott and international criticism the atmosphere was not conducive
   for a free, fair and transparent vote.

   Party Chairman Pascal Nyabenda said Burundians defied opposition
   boycott calls because they prefer democracy to a coup d'état.

   He dismissed global criticism saying the government organized the
   elections for Burundians and they responded.

   "For the CNDD-FDD, we appreciated the election of today because there
   was a very good participation of the population and the security was
   everywhere in the country," he said.

   Nyabenda denied claims the poll was marred by poor turnout.  He said it
   was expected that some opposition parties would not take part adding
   that Burundians turned out large numbers because they want democracy.

   "What is surprising people is that Burundians want democracy even if
   their leaders say they should not vote.  Still, people went to vote
   which means that there is no connection now between the leaders and
   some members of some political parties," he said.

   President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to run for a third term in
   office triggered a failed coup last month and criticism from those who
   say he is violating the two-term limit in the constitution.

   The Constitutional Court ruled he is eligible because he was first
   elected by parliament, not voters, in 2005.

   The African Union did not send observers because it said conditions
   were not conducive for free, fair and transparent elections.

   AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma expressed concern
   about what she called "the serious political and security situation" in
   Burundi.

   But Nyabenda said there were other election monitors from the United
   Nations and Kenya.

   "Someone who would like to say that this election was not transparent
   was not fair I think they will be wrong because, as all people have
   seen, even the UN has sent some observers.  Some countries like Kenya
   sent some observers."

   Zuma said the AU, U.N. and regional bodies had called on Burundi to
   delay the vote until July 30, along with the presidential vote.  She
   said Burundi is at a "crucial phase of its history," and that the
   political turmoil has "serious implications for peace and security" in
   the country and the region.
   A U.S. State Department spokesman also expressed disappointment in the
   elections saying there were "woefully inadequate conditions for free
   and fair elections."

   Nyabenda said the presidential election scheduled for July 15 will go
   ahead as planned.

   "The plan is still the same.  Now we continue with other election as it
   has been planned by the electoral commission.  We are in campaign for
   the presidential election which means we go on, we don't stop,"
   Nyabenda said.
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   ion-turnout/2842606.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/burundi-ruling-party-happy-with-election-turnout/2842606.html