BNUB welcomes signature of general principles for the conduct of 2015 elections

11 Jun 2014

BNUB welcomes signature of general principles for the conduct of 2015 elections

10 June 2014 – The United Nations Office in Burundi (BNUB) welcomes the signature of the General Principles for the conduct of the 2015 elections by the Government of Burundi, the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) and all political parties and actors, this Monday, 9 June 2014 and encourages all efforts towards its respect and implementation.

"BNUB encourages the signatories to continue engaging in dialogue and to respect these principles in all phases of the electoral process, with a view to ensuring free, transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful elections in 2015", BNUB states in a communiqué.

The UN Office describes the signature as an "important step forward which is consistent with the commitment they took at the second workshop on the evaluation of the roadmap held on 20 May 2014 to adopt these Principles as a Code of conduct for the 2015 elections." In this regard, and in accordance with the General Principles, BNUB calls on all stakeholders to sensitize their constituencies, especially the youth, to respect civil and political rights and to reject all forms of violence in the conduct of their political activities. BNUB also underscores the right for political parties, coalitions and independent candidates to freely carry out their activities throughout the national territory during the electoral campaign period, in accordance with the laws in force. BNUB further calls for the involvement of Burundian civil society and media in the implementation of the code of conduct.

Lastly, BNUB reiterates its willingness to continue working with the Government of Burundi and all political parties and actors in promoting and facilitating political dialogue in view of the 2015 elections and in the framework of ongoing efforts to consolidate democracy and peace in Burundi.