Burundi’s Ruling Party Takes All Parliament Seats in Latest Election

Burundi’s ruling CNDD-FDD party has swept all 100 seats in the country’s latest parliamentary elections, according to official results, sparking outrage among opposition groups and election observers. The vote, which saw the CNDD-FDD claim over 96% of ballots, excluded the main opposition party CNL, which was suspended in 2023 over supposed irregularities. The CNL has since alleged that the election was marred by fraud, forced voting, and the jailing of observers. Critics, including other opposition parties and journalists, called the results a death blow to democracy, pointing to pre-filled ballots and implausible vote counts in some districts. The country’s president, Évariste Ndayishimiye, has been in power since 2020. His tenure has been marked by both transparency and authoritarianism.

France24