II ~I ~ ~II~ ~~ ~II ~ ~II - IFES

IFES Pre-electionAssessment: Burundiwill best serve the Burundi people. Without elaborating, Article 103 of the Constitutionconfirms that the "blocked list" should be composed in the spirit of national unity, keeping inmind the diverse composition of the Burundi population. This will no doubt be spelled out inthe electoral law. If a representative is named to the Government or other functions, he mustresign his seat and is replaced. There is no indication how this replacement is made. We canspeculate that the replacement will be the next name on the "blocked list."Of utmost significance is the fact that a representative to the National Assembly does not haveto reside in the constituency that s/he represents. The only requirements are that the candidatebe at least 25 years of age, of Burundi nationality and reside in the country at the time s/hepresents his/her candidacy. This approach could well mean that the elected official does notreside in the constituency and the end result be a National Assembly of elite urban lawmakerswith little appreciation for rural needs.Provisions exist in the Constitution establishing Territorial Collectivities. The leadership ofthese local entities are to be chosen through elections. However, consideration is given in theConstitution to follow the 'traditional institutions' for an electoral system outside of competitionby political parties. Indirect elections for these positions are to be held based upon theprinciple of Ubushingantahe. This is a traditional system in which wise, honourable andresponsible men in each colline propose the administrator of the commune who is to beappointed by the central government.The GovernmentOn March 31, 1992, President Buyoya reconfirmed Adrien Sibomana to continue as PrimeMinister and to lead a new Government during the period of transition which will culminatewith general elections in early 1993. Two days later, the Prime Minister announced themembers of his Government. On April 4th, the IFES team was invited to attend the swearinginceremony of the new Government. The opposition groups denounced the government as asuperficial change and a mere continuation of the UPRONA regime.13