Burundi announced on Monday that voters had approved amending the nation's constitution to extend presidential term limits from five years to seven.
According to the election commission chief, 73 percent of voters supported changing the constitution. Nineteen percent voted against the amendment.
The amendment gives Burundi's president, Pierre Nkurunziza the ability to potentially stay in office until 2034. Nkurunziza, who has been in office since 2005, is currently serving his third term, although Burundi's constitution sets a two-term limit.
Burundi's opposition party expressed concern that the election was rigged. Opposition leader Agathon Rwasa said he plans on filing a petition to challenge the referendum.
Voter intimidation is another concern. On Friday Human Rights Watch reported violence in Burundi carried out by members of Burundi's security forces prior to the referendum. In November an International Criminal Court prosecutor was authorized to investigate crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burundi. In September a UN commission called on Burundi to end ongoing human rights violations.
(Published by Jurist, May 21, 2018)