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U.S., European Union freeze funds to Burundi over 'inadequate' elections

By Amy R. Connolly
Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza, seen here as he visited the White House with First Lady Denise Bucumi in 2014, is facing criticism for his efforts in a bid for re-election. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI
Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza, seen here as he visited the White House with First Lady Denise Bucumi in 2014, is facing criticism for his efforts in a bid for re-election. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

BUJUMBURA, Burundi, June 30 (UPI) -- Burundians voters cast ballots Monday for a new parliament after weeks of violent political protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term.

Despite calls from the international community for the postponement of the parliamentary and local elections held Monday, and ahead of the July 15 presidential election, some voters pressed ahead to the voting stations. At least three polling stations were attacked.

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The African Union refused to send observers to validate the election, saying the conditions were not present for it to be "free, fair, transparent and credible". The European Union said a vote would "only exacerbate the profound crisis" and the State Department said the election had "woefully inadequate conditions for them to be credible."

"We call on President Nkurunziza to place the welfare of his country and people ahead of his wish to serve a third term by heeding the calls for dialogue and demonstrating respect for the Arusha Agreement, including its provisions on term limits," the State Department said in a written statement.

Nkurunziza's decision to seek re-election has caused months of turmoil. A failed coup attempt and the assassination of an opposition leader earlier this year has added to the hostility in the nation's capital. Some 127,000 people have fled the nation for the already strained Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania.

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Al Jazeera reporter Haru Mutasa said the atmosphere at the voting stations was filled with fear and tension. Unofficial results will come on Thursday or Friday. Final results are expected in a week.

"There aren't many people here, I would say around 50. Several polling stations were attacked and there was gunfire overnight," she said, adding extra police had been brought in to conduct searches on those voting.

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