BUJUMBURA March 13th (ABP) – The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) has been organizing a national workshop at the Nile Source Hotel from 12 to 13 March 2019 to strengthen the democratic culture of its partners or their representatives in order to be well prepared for the 2020 elections.
In his opening speech, CENI Chairman Pierre Claver Kazihise recalled that the next elections in 2020 will be the first to be held in accordance with the new constitution of May 2018. He said that the goal of the workshop is about building the capacity in democratic culture that is important. This allows the people, the politicians and everyone to be able to recover their senses, to remember, to talk with the CENI members on the issues of democracy, especially on the foundation of democracy, he said.
Democracy has its foundation in human rights, Kazihise said, inviting participants in the workshop to understand that concept so that elections can be held in peace and serenity. Regarding communication, the CENI chairman called on leaders of political parties to avoid violent language. He advised them to use constructive communication instead during the electoral process. He also urged participants to make a positive contribution to the success of the 2020 elections. The CENI chairman, who asks the people to contact the CENI whenever there is a lack of understanding, asked political party leaders to supervise their members by showing them what is prohibited and allowed during the electoral process.
Mr. Kazihise said that the electoral code is being drafted and is at the level of parliament. The CENI has already given its technical contribution, he said. He took the opportunity to invite politicians who still have contributions to send them to MPs or Senators because, he said, there is still time.
