Burundians go to the polls in first legislative elections since 2020
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Burundians head to the polls in a crucial legislative vote seen as a test of President Ndayishimiye’s reform agenda.
Burundi Votes in First Legislative Elections Since 2020 Amid Repression Fears
Burundians cast their ballots on Thursday in the country’s first legislative and local elections since 2020, marking a significant moment in the nation’s evolving political landscape. The vote is seen as a key test of President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s leadership and Burundi’s commitment to democratic reform.
Voters are selecting lawmakers to fill the 123 seats in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. Most members are elected directly through party lists, while a portion are co-opted to ensure compliance with the country’s constitutional gender and ethnic quotas—measures aimed at fostering inclusivity in the ethnically diverse nation.
These elections also include local polls, and it is the first time they are being held separately from the presidential vote. This new electoral structure comes in the wake of a 2018 constitutional amendment that extended the presidential term from five to seven years. The next presidential election is slated for 2027.
President Ndayishimiye’s party, the National Council for the Defence of Democracy–Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD–FDD), won a landslide in the last legislative elections in 2020, giving them a supermajority in parliament. At the time, Ndayishimiye took over following the sudden death of longtime president Pierre Nkurunziza, whose final years in power were marred by political unrest, human rights abuses, and international isolation.
Since taking office, Ndayishimiye has taken steps to open the country diplomatically and improve Burundi’s international standing. He has been lauded for adopting a more moderate tone and for expressing willingness to reform state institutions that were previously used as instruments of repression under Nkurunziza’s rule.
However, critics argue that these changes remain largely superficial. While the government has re-engaged with regional and international partners and taken some steps toward political reform, Burundi’s human rights situation continues to deteriorate.
Civil society groups, journalists, and opposition parties have sounded the alarm over escalating repression. The political space remains tightly controlled, and acts of intimidation, arrests, and enforced disappearances continue to be reported.
In April, media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned that journalists faced increasing threats ahead of the legislative vote. In a damning statement, RSF said the Burundian security forces were actively working to silence the independent press, creating a “climate of fear” that undermined the integrity of the electoral process.
“The security services are working behind the scenes to control the narrative and restrict the flow of information,” RSF said. “The press, which should be free to cover this important election, is instead operating under threat.”
Opposition figures have echoed these concerns. Members of the National Congress for Liberty (CNL), one of the country’s main opposition parties, accused the government of engaging in vote-rigging and harassment during the campaign period. Several of their candidates reportedly faced obstacles to registering or holding campaign events, and others were allegedly detained without cause.
Despite these challenges, Thursday’s elections are being closely monitored by both local observers and international bodies. Regional groups such as the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union (AU), as well as international partners including the European Union and United Nations, are watching to assess Burundi’s progress toward democratic consolidation.
Analysts say the outcome will serve as a barometer for Ndayishimiye’s popularity and a signal of whether his promises of reform have gained real traction among voters. It will also shape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 presidential election, which will be another critical juncture in the country’s post-conflict development.
For many Burundians, the elections offer a rare opportunity to weigh in on their country’s future. But for others—particularly activists and journalists—it is a reminder of the risks that come with political engagement in a system where democratic norms are still tenuous.
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