Bujumbura: Kick-off of voters’ registration

Voters’ registration has started this 8 February in Bujumbura as well as in other provinces of Burundi. It will last 10 days.

People queuing to get registered at Kamenge registration office in Ntahangwa Commune

The chairman of the Independent Municipal Electoral Commission (CECI) in Muha, Adolphe Nshimirimana says the registration has started late arguing that they have received necessary materials on the same day of registration.

“We have received materials this morning and distributed them to the census staff. That’s why we are a little late, “he says adding that Muha Commune is too big and that the distribution of materials to census agents takes a lot of time.

Some people say they did not know the documents needed to register. People who do not present identity cards and who want to present driving licenses or other documents must come with a witness. The witness must be the chief of the neighborhood or any other administrative official, states the decree of the National Independent Electoral Commission-CENI

“I do not have an identity card. I planned to present the driver’s license to get registered. I did not know that I had to bring a witness. Now, I have not enrolled. I’ll be back tomorrow, “said Tharcisse Ndikumana, a citizen met at Nyakabiga Center in Mukaza Commune.

He calls on the CENI to continue to raise the population’s awareness of all the documents and details necessary for registration.

He says he appreciates the supervisors and observers’ vigilance in correcting mistakes. “A census agent did not notice that I did not have the necessary documents to get registered. It was reported by an observer, “says Ndikumana.

CENI inventoried 3,828 registration offices, 11, 583 census staff members and 3828 supervisors recruited throughout the country. The voters’ registration that has started this Thursday is about the constitutional referendum scheduled for May 2018 as well as the 2020 elections.

Voters’ registration cards that will be provided during this registration will also be used in 2020 elections, said Pierre Claver Ndayicariye, the chairman of CENI.