Onanga-Anyanga welcomes discussions on electoral code’s revision and calls on wide participation

17 May 2013

Onanga-Anyanga welcomes discussions on electoral code’s revision and calls on wide participation

17 May 2013 - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Burundi welcomes the organization of a workshop from 22 to 25 May in Kayanza (north of Burundi), under the auspices of the Government of Burundi, on the revision of the Electoral Code and encourages all political parties and actors to participate actively in this important meeting.

In a statement issued today by his office, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga stresses that the anticipated discussions regarding the draft Electoral Code require the presence and the contribution of all political stakeholders in order to ensure the optimal preparation of the 2015 elections and to strengthen confidence and the spirit of inclusive dialogue among Burundian political parties and political actors.

The UN official stresses that he remains confident that the meeting of Kayanza will offer "a new framework for profound and fruitful consultations leading to a harmonization of views on concrete recommendations for a future electoral code, which, once adopted by the competent legislative institutions, would allow for the organization of free, transparent and fair elections in Burundi."
At the eve of the workshop, SRSG Onanga-Anyanga also urges all Burundian political stakeholders to renounce any recourse to violence as a means of political expression, in line with the commitments made at the workshop organized by the UN Office in Burundi (BNUB) from 11 to 13 March 2013. At that meeting, political actors and parties adopted a road map in view of 2015 elections focusing 42 points, including the ban of violence.
In this regard, while reminding the progress that has already been achieved by Burundi regarding the democratization of its institutions and the numerous declarations of the Head of State, he welcomed "the measures that have already been taken by the Burundian authorities to bring those who commit violent acts to justice and encourages them to pursue their efforts against impunity."
SRSG Onanga-Anyanga also emphasizes that the United Nations and the international community will follow the discussions at the workshop in Kayanza with the greatest interest, to demonstrate the engagement of the international community to support Burundi on its path towards greater stability and social cohesion, critical elements of an inclusive and sustainable development process.