BUJUMBURA, July 31st (ABP) – The Independent National Election Commission (CENI) organized on Monday, July 29, in Bujumbura, the ceremonies marking the swearing-in of members of the Independent Provincial Election Commissions (CEPI) in accordance with the election code, in its article 46.
Holding the national flag and the flag of national unity with a hand, and the other hand in the air, they swore to conscientiously and impartially ensure the regular conduct of the vote and to faithfully count the votes.
The Chairman of the CENI, Mr. Prosper Ntahorwamiye, who asked those CEPI members to avoid ignoring this oath, announced that a 3-day training course, starting from July 29, 2024, is planned for them. Since not all those who applied for the CEPI position can be selected because there were 52 places available, he informed those who were not selected that they can find themselves in the Independent District Election Commissions (CECI) or on the list of those who will be responsible for registering voters.
Concerning other activities related to the election calendar, Mr. Ntahorwamiye indicated that the CEPI will set up the CECI. To be a member of a CECI, one must have at least a university degree, be a resident of the district where they are applying to be a CECI member, specify their profession, and present their CV. Presenting a certificate testifying that one was in the CECI during past elections would be an asset, he said. The other elements of the file will be communicated by the CEPI. From August 12 to 17, 2024, election partners at the provincial level will present the files of their candidates to the CECI. Since August 29, those who will be selected as members of the CECI will take the oath. They will benefit from a 3-day training course, from August 29 to 31, 2024 and will already be in office from September 1.
From September 2 to 7, CENI members will go on a countrywide tour to identify the polling centers that will be validated from September 16 to 20, 2024 by the CENI. From October 1 to 4, 2024, the files of those who wish to register voters will be presented at the CECI level. From October 7 to 11, 2024, the work of selecting those who will register voters will be completed. From October 14 to 18, 2024, the CEPI will collect from the CENI the necessary equipment for voter registration. The agents selected for voter registration will also receive training.
The voter registration work will begin from October 22 to 31, 2024. From November 4 to 8, 2024, the CECI will collect the registers in which voters will be registered to deposit them in the CEPI. These registers will be deposited at the CENI from November 11 to 15, 2024, in the center where the voters’ names will be entered. On November 18, 2024, the work of entering voters into the machines will begin. Other activities concerning the electoral calendar will be communicated after this work. The CENI Chair took the opportunity to ask all Burundians of voting age who do not have a national identity card to get it on time because none will be registered as a voter without this card. The administration is asked to facilitate the work of granting national identities. Burundians aged 18 and over, are called upon to respond to the upcoming voter registration to participate in the 2025 elections.