On the picture, H.E. Vestine Nahimana, Ambassador of Burundi to the Netherlands with representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission and political parties at the Burundian embassy in The Hague.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Hague 17 May 2018, Embassy of Burundi. Burundian nationals residing in the Netherlands cast their vote in the country’s constitutional referendum.
Voting started from 9.00h and ended at 19.00h Representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( CENI) and of the various political parties took position at the polling station in the Chancellery. Counting of the votes took place immediately after the closing of the polling station.
The referendum is aiming at amendments in the constitution. Proposed changes: reintroduce the post of Prime Minister and reduce the number of Vice-President from two to one. They also involve increasing the presidential term from five to seven years, but restricting a president to two consecutive terms.
The amendments will also reduce the parliamentary majority required to pass legislation. It has been reported that Bujumbura, the capital, had long lines of voters as security forces were deployed across the city.
Five million people across the country were registered to vote. Voting appeared to be going smoothly in most areas, although activist group which monitors reported some allegations of intimidation.
