Amid the COVID 19 pandemic, the Burundi presidential election still held yesterday. Other countries, especially Western countries with upcoming elections postponed to later dates, in order to prevent the spread of the dreadful COVID 19 virus. Burundi, on the other hand, has refused to follow in this path.
The Burundi presidential election was held yesterday, Wednesday, 20th of May 2020. As the presidential election grew near, the violence in the country increased and sparked fear in the hearts of the residents.
The violence in the country increased exponentially when the Burundian president, Pierre Nkurunziza, decided to run for a third term in office in 2015. For the last 15 years, Pierre Nkurunziza has reportedly ruled the country with impunity, invading all efforts to call him to account for his violation of Human Rights.
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Last week, Pierre Nkurunziza expelled four World Health Organisation representatives who were in the country to assist in the COVID 19 pandemic response. During the election, very few Burundians we observed wearing their face masks to prevent the spread of the virus and no one was spotted trying to maintain social distancing to curb the spread of the virus, although some people were spotted washing their hands.
Burundi has confirmed only 42 cases of the virus and one death has been recorded. Critics predict that the actual number of COVID 19 virus-infected people is 100 times higher than that.
Burundi has been reported to be very neglectful in their handling of the COVID 19 pandemic. The country’s officials have insisted that the pandemic would not have as much impact in the country as it has affected other countries.
The report has it that only 633 tests in total have been carried out for the virus since the pandemic began. A number which is too low for a country with a population of over 10 million people.
The 2020 Burundi presidential election had 7 candidates. Burundi is not the only African country to hold elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.