Burundi: Overview of the 2010 elections and observations on the way forward

This situation report provides an overview of the main developments in Burundi’s 2010 electoral process.

In early September 2010 Burundi held the last poll in a series of elections that have taken place since May 2010 amid persisting concerns over the way forward for the country. The political climate had been dominated by ‘election speak’ since as early as 2008. However, the events following the announcement of the provisional results of the communal elections of 24 May (i.e. local or municipal elections in Burundi’s communes) illustrate that many stakeholders were nevertheless not fully prepared for the electoral marathon, as well as its consequences.

Author: Jamila El Abdellaoui