Burundi: Observation of the Constitutional Referendum 2005

Updated May 2005

Introduction

On February 28 2005 the Civil Society Organizations for the Monitoring of Elections (COSOME) observed the constitutional referendum almost throughout Burundi. COSOME deployed 640 observers in all of the provinces. COSOME could not do the monitoring as it had wished but was able to note some of the irregularities that occurred in some voting centers. In general the voting proceeded very well. This report highlights the irregularities observed and makes recommendations that would contribute to the preparations for the next elections.

The voting operations

This report deals with voting stations, electoral material and the behavior of electoral officers, voters, security agents and political party agents. We also note the presence of independent national and international observers. The report also addresses the opening of the voting stations, the forms of intimidation observed and the behavior of certain administrative authorities.

Voting stations

COSOME carried out electoral observation in all the provinces of the country, including the capital city Bujumbura. In all the provinces the voting stations observed were generally well organized, in accordance with electoral law. However, in certain polling stations irregularities were observed. For example:

• In Ngozi the placing of the voting booth compromised the secrecy of the vote.
• In Muzinda (Bubanza province) and in Rutana some voting stations were too close to one another.
• Secrecy of the vote was not ensured at certain polling stations in Karusi and Mwaro; voters in the voting booth could be seen through the windows from outside.
• At some voting centers in Cibitoke the waste bags were situated so far from the voting booths that there was no privacy.
• At Kinyinya Primary School, Gatumba in Mutimbuzi Commune, the waste bags were variously coloured. This disoriented the voters since some thought that the black bag was for the wasted papers and the white bag was for the ballot box. Continual intervention by officials was required for the voting to proceed.
• In Mutimbuzi the members of the offices worked under poor conditions. There were no benches and they were exposed to direct sunlight. The polling station at the Kinyinya Primary school did not have a roof.

Punctuality

An estimated 54.1% of the voting stations opened on time, while 45.9% opened late due to various problems. Amongst the reasons for the delays, the most frequent were transportation problem, the difficulties experienced by some staff members in closing the ballot boxes, and the voters rolls not being correct.

In Bururi it was reported that a grenade was thrown, which consequently delayed the start of the vote.

In some cases persons the presiding officers awaited the arrival of political party delegates and independent observers before they allowed the voting to proceed.