TheCable

Many voters have turned out as Burundi holds a presidential election amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although it has 42 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, the country resolved to go on with the election, allowing political campaigns and gatherings.

Last week, the government expelled officials of the World Health Organisation (WHO) after criticism that all political parties were holding rallies despite the outbreak.

Seven candidates are contesting to succeed President Pierre Nkurunziza, who will be stepping down after being in power for 15 years.

The election will herald the first peaceful democratic transition in the 58 years of independence of the East African nation.

The last election in 2015, when Nkurunziza won a third term, was widely criticised as lacking transparency and fairness.

More than five million people are eligible to cast their ballot in the exercise that will see the end of the tenure of Nkurunziza whose administration is notorious for alleged human rights violations.

The BBC is reporting that social media has been blocked in the country, and that there have been claims that the vote will not be free and fair.

But Reuters quoted a resident as saying voting is “taking place smoothly” in the commercial city of Bujumbura.