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2007 Assessment

Burundi: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Burundi: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Voting & Citizen Participation
Indicators		Score
14	Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?	100
15	Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?	75
16	Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?	30

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?

14a: In law, universal and equal adult suffrage is guaranteed to all citizens.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Article 8 de la constitution Le suffrage est universel, égal, secret, libre et transparent. Il peut être direct ou indirect dans les conditions prévues par la loi. Sont électeurs, dans les conditions déterminées par le code électoral, tous les burundais âgés de dix-huit ans révolus et jouissant de leurs droits civils et politiques. Article 86 de la constitution Le droit de vote est garanti.

14b: In law, there is a legal framework requiring that elections be held at regular intervals.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Article 96 Le Président de la République est élu au suffrage universel direct pour un mandat de cinq ans renouvelable une fois. Article cle 164 LAssemblée nationale est composée dau moins cent députés à raison de 60% de Hutu et de 40% de Tutsi, y compris un minimum de 30% de femmes, élus au suffrage universel direct pour un mandat de cinq ans et de trois députés issus de lethnie Twa cooptés conformément au code électoral. Au cas où les résultats du vote ne reflètent pas les pourcentages susvisés, il est procédé au redressement des déséquilibres y afférents au moyen du mécanisme de cooptation prévu par le code électoral. Le nombre de candidats à élire par circonscription est fixé par la loi électorale proportionnellement à la population.

Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?

15a: In practice, all adult citizens can vote.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Rapports du secrétaire général sur l'Opération des Nations Unies au Burundi

Reconfiguration radicale du paysage politique au Burundi, International Crisis Group, 25 août 2005, www.crisisgroup.org

15b: In practice, ballots are secret or equivalently protected.

Score:

100

Comments: In practice during the last elections, the ballots were secrets or equivalently protected, though the democratic experience is relatively new.

References: international crisis group.elections au Burundi: reconfiguration radicale du paysage politique burundais.25 mai 2005.( www.crisisgroup.org) Rapport du cosome

Peer Review Comments: With the country's minimal experience in elections, among other factors, it would be difficullt to assure that tampering is successfully prevented.

15c: In practice, elections are held according to a regular schedule.

Score:

100

Comments: After the elections of 1993, the regular election schedule has not been respected due to the civil war. At this stage, it is difficult to say if future elections will take place in 2010 as stipulated in the constitution.

References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Interview with Leonard Nyangoma, president of the CNDD, July 27, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Interview with Domitien Ndayizeye, former head of state, July 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Peer Review Comments: We don't know if elections will in practice be held according to a regular schedule.

Peer Review Comments: The 2005 election took place easily half a year later than it should have.

Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?

16a: In law, all citizens have a right to form political parties.

Score:

YES

Comments: there ae some restrictions for the corporate bodies above-mentionned

References: Article 82 de la constitution Les membres des corps de défense et de sécurité ainsi que les magistrats en activités ne sont pas autorisés à adhérer aux partis politiques.

16b: In law, all citizens have a right to run for political office.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: A rticle 2 44 Ni les corps de défense et de sécurité, ni aucun de leurs membres ne peuvent, dans lexercice de leurs fonctions : a) Porter préjudice aux intérêts dun parti politique qui, aux termes de la Constitution, est légal; b) Manifester leurs préférences politiques; c) Avantager de manière partisane les intérêts dun parti politique; d) Être membre dun parti politique ou dune association à caractère politique; e) Participer à des activités ou manifestations à caractère politique.

Peer Review Comments: I agree that there is a limitiation based on exculsion of military and magistrates, and I agree with score, but i don't see the relevance of the provision cited.

16c: In practice, all citizens are able to form political parties.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: While there is no guarantee of electoral success, political parties can form freely without opposition. <p>50 Score Criteria: Some barriers to formation are present, such as burdensome registration requirements that may not be fairly applied. Some parties\' political viewpoints may draw pressure from the government, such as surveillance or intimidation. Some political parties or organizations may have extra barriers to getting on a ballot. <p>0 Score Criteria: Some political parties are effectively barred from forming through some manner of official or unofficial pressure. This may include threats, arrest, or violence from competing parties or other groups.$

Comments: Some barriers to formation are present, such as burdensome registration requirements that may not be fairly applied. Some parties' political viewpoints may draw pressure from the government, such as surveillance or intimidation.

16d: In practice, all citizens can run for political office.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interntional Crisis group, "Democracy and Peace at Risk," Nov. 30, 2006. (www.crisisgroup.org)

Rapport annuel d'activités de la ligue ITEKA: édition 2006

16e: In practice, an opposition party is represented in the legislature.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The opposition party always has some influence on the proceedings of the legislature. The opposition party can introduce legislation or bring pending matters to a vote without the consent of the ruling party. <p>50 Score Criteria: The opposition party has influence on the proceeding of the legislature, but it is limited in scope. The opposition\'s ability to force votes or publicly debate certain topics may be limited. <p>0 Score Criteria: The opposition party has only token participation in the legislature\'s proceedings and cannot advance legislation or force a debate.$

Comments:

References: International Crisis Group. « Burundi : la paix et la démocratie en danger »30 novembre 2006

Peer Review Comments: There seems to be some evolution in this situation. The opposition actually blocked the functioning of the legislative branch while it was searching for respect of its constitutional rights to representation in the cabinet. There is also more expertise and experience in the oppostion but it is true, the majority ruling party has the ability to limit public debate. It is simply not clear yet how the legislature works as it has worked so briefly.