Voting is underway in Burundi’s 2025 general elections, with citizens electing members of parliament, senators, municipal councilors, and local leaders.
This marks the country’s fifth consecutive general election since 2005, a milestone in its post-conflict democratic journey.
For the first time, the polls exclude a presidential vote, as President Évariste Ndayishimiye is serving a seven-year term under the amended 2018 constitution.
Additionally, significant administrative reforms have reshaped the electoral map, reducing provinces from 18 to 5 and communes from 119 to 42. As a result, the number of elected senators drops from 36 to 10, while the National Assembly remains at 100 members, plus three seats for Batwa representatives.
The ruling CNDD-FDD party, in power since 2005, seeks to maintain its dominance in the restructured system.
Polling stations opened early across the country, with high voter turnout reported in several regions.
The 2025 elections are being closely watched both domestically and internationally. While officials describe the process as peaceful and orderly, opposition figures have raised concerns about political space and administrative restructuring.
As polls continue, voters across the country have turned out early in large numbers, with polling stations in areas like Gitega reporting long queues before voting officially began.
The results of these elections are expected to shape Burundi’s political landscape for years to come.
