Bujumbura: Burundi's ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party has clinched all 10 available seats in the Senate, following the senatorial elections conducted on Wednesday, as announced by the country's electoral commission.
According to Nam News Network, the CNDD-FDD party's victory grants them the entirety of the Senate seats for the upcoming 2025-2030 term. In alignment with the national constitution and electoral code, three individuals from the Batwa minority have been co-opted to form an upper chamber comprising 13 senators, as stated by Prosper Ntahorwamiye, chairperson of the Burundian National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), during the announcement of the provisional results from the July 23 senatorial elections, which took place at provincial town centers.
The announcement event saw participation from various electoral partners, including political party representatives, senatorial candidates, diplomats accredited to Burundi, and members of civil society. Ntahorwamiye highlighted that after the co-optation process, the Senate will consist of 13 senators, made up of seven men and six women.
These provisional senatorial election results are set to be swiftly submitted to the Constitutional Court for validation, as mentioned by Ntahorwamiye. During the legislative elections and the election of district councilors held on June 5, the ruling CNDD-FDD achieved a significant victory.