Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza has left the decision on whether he will run for a third term to his political party. President Nkurunziza said he is not suited to interpret provisions of the Constitution that have split the country on his eligibility to contest in the 2015 elections.

With the ruling National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) appearing short of an alternative leader with his grassroots appeal, President Nkurunziza said the party will decide on its candidate as stipulated in the law.

“I am not an expert in law, so everyone should concentrate on their duty. One person can’t cook in a hundred saucepans; otherwise the food will be burnt,” President Nkurunziza said.

The debate has been whether President Nkurunziza, who first came to office in 2005 through a parliamentary vote, is barred under the 2010 Constitution, which restricts a president to two five-year terms in office won through universal suffrage.

“My political party CNDD-FDD will decide on whom they will approve as a candidate and this will be conducted by the laws that govern our country,” President Nkurunziza said.

“President Nkurunziza can’t be forbidden from another term if our party nominates him as the candidate,” said Pascal Nyabenda, chairman of CNDD-FDD.

“The Constitution is very clear that the incumbent has to run only for one term and he has only been elected once by the citizens,” said Mr Nyabenda.

This comes after parliament rejected in March an attempt to revise the Constitution amid claims by the opposition that one of the items set for amendment was the two-term limit. The President’s Office denied that this was on the agenda.

According to Article 96 of the Constitution, the president is directly elected by universal suffrage for one term of five years and can seek re-election once to serve for five years.

In 2005, President Nkurunziza was elected by parliament according to Article 302 of the Constitution, which stated that the first president of the post-transition period was to be elected by the National Assembly and the Senate by a majority of two-thirds of the members. During the transition period the president had no powers to dissolve parliament.

Some political analysts, however, argued that parliament, as the people’s representatives, exercised national sovereignty on behalf of the voters as provided under Article 7 of the Constitution and therefore President Nkurunziza has already served for two terms. However, the Constitution states that the president is elected directly by the people.

“CNDD-FDD is already pushing President Nkurunziza to run for the third term because he is the only candidate who is popular in rural areas; a new candidate from CNDD-FDD will not have time to campaign,” said Simeone Barumwete, a political analyst.
Last month, a new political coalition was formed by some politicians in readiness for elections in 2015.

“The coalitions are not formal but dynamic; it would not be surprising if they get together to support one candidate despite the internal disputes because what they need is to deliver the change people need,” said Vital Nshimirimana, chairman of the Civil Society Organisation Forum.

Mr Barumwete, however, was sckeptical of the coalition partners’ ability to stick together should they win elections.

“Even a coalition wins the elections, it will be very difficult to share power since the coalition partners don’t share the same interests,” said Mr Barumwete.

He added that a realistic goal for the opposition would be to get enough seats in parliament to keep the government in check.

In 2010, President Nkurunziza won with a landslide although 10 out of the 43 political parties recognised in Burundi formed the Alliance of Democrats for Change (ADC-Ikibiri). This time the alliance plans to field one candidate. CNDD-FDD has already carried out communal and provincial congresses and is planning a national congress to pick its presidential flag-bearer.

“I don’t think it will be in January; I don’t know when but twill be before the elections,” said Mr Nyabenda.

Provisional figures provided by the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) showed that 3.7 million voters registered for the 2015 elections against an estimated 4 million people who are of voting age.

A two-week voter registration exercise started in late November but was later extended by five days to allow eligible voters to acquire national identification cards, which are a prerequisite for registration.  

Pierre Claver Ndayicariye, chairman of CENI, said more than 1,900 irregularities were detected during the registration, including individuals who had more than one identity card. Some people were arrested while others had their registrations cancelled. Some opposition leaders have called for a fresh registration exercise.

READ: Low turnout as Burundi voter listing starts

“The idea to cancel the registration would be of a great consequence that may affect peace in Burundi and the national interest of Burundians who need peace and stability in the country,” said Mr Ndayicariye.

However, he said the commission will discuss with partners whether to open a window for those who have since acquired national identity cards to register.