Burundi operates as a presidential republic and holds elections to determine its political representatives. Here is some information about the election system in Burundi:
- Presidential Elections: The President of Burundi is elected through a direct popular vote. Presidential elections are typically held every seven years. To win in the first round, a candidate must secure an absolute majority (50%+1) of the votes. If no candidate meets this requirement, a second round is held between the top two candidates.
- National Assembly Elections: The National Assembly of Burundi is the lower house of the Parliament. It consists of members who are elected through a mixed electoral system. The electoral system includes both proportional representation and plurality voting. Some seats are allocated to political parties based on their share of the national vote, while others are filled by winning the most votes in single-member constituencies.
- Senate Elections: The Senate is the upper house of the Parliament and consists of members elected through indirect elections. Senators are chosen by members of local governments and representatives of various professional and social groups.
- Electoral Process: The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of Burundi is responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in the country. It ensures the transparency and fairness of the electoral process, including voter registration, candidate nomination, and the counting of votes. International observers may be invited to monitor the elections.
- Voter Eligibility: Burundian citizens who are at least 18 years old have the right to vote. Voter registration is required, and citizens must be included in the electoral roll to participate in elections. Eligible voters can cast their ballots at designated polling stations within their respective constituencies.
