The key facts

  • Ndayishimiye submitted his documents to the electoral commission on November 13; applications are accepted until November 22
  • The elections are scheduled for May 3, 2027
  • The ruling party's candidate was backed by 11 opposition parties, including FROLINA, KAZE-FDD and RADEBU

Incumbent president seeks a second term

Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye presented his candidacy to the Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday, seeking nomination in next year's presidential elections, his office said. The presidential elections are scheduled for May 3, 2027, and the commission is accepting candidate documents from November 13 to November 22.

Support from the party and part of the opposition

Ndayishimiye was named the candidate of the ruling party — the National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) — back in April. Last week he secured the support of 11 opposition parties, including FROLINA, KAZE-FDD and RADEBU, which agreed to join forces and run a joint campaign in support of the ruling party's candidate.

The president's statements

Speaking to journalists, Ndayishimiye expressed satisfaction with the course of the democratic process in Burundi, thanked his party colleagues for their renewed trust and the opposition parties that backed his candidacy. He called on leaders at all levels to remain vigilant and work with citizens so that no one attempts to derail the electoral process. “We want the upcoming elections to take place in an atmosphere of peace and security, so that the international community sees that Burundi is a model country of democracy,” he said, adding that it is important for citizens to choose leaders capable of implementing the vision of “Burundi with an emerging economy by 2040 and a developed country by 2060.”

Context

Under Burundi's 2018 constitution, the president is elected for a seven-year term and may hold the post for no more than two consecutive terms. Ndayishimiye has led the country since 2020, following the death of his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza, who died while in office.