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Burundi: Opposition disrupts polls over Nkurunziza 3rd run

THE opposition disrupted parliamentary elections in Burundi yesterday, just over a month after a military coup was defeated.

Seventeen opposition parties staged a boycott of the elections while mobs fought with police.

Gunfire could be heard in some parts of the capital Bujumbura as voting started at 6am, said witnesses. There was heavy security across the city.

In the Mugasa district a grenade exploded in the street, sending residents running for cover.

Violence erupted in Burundi after the ruling National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) announced President Pierre Nkurunziza as its candidate for a third term of office.

The CNDD-FDD currently holds 81 out of 106 seats in the country’s National Assembly and 32 out of 49 in the Senate.

The US has criticised the Burundian government for cracking down on violent protests since the failed coup.

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