GITEGA, Burundi, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye on Friday officially launched the campaign for the country's combined legislative and district elections, scheduled for June 5, in Gitega, the country's political capital.
In a first for Burundi, the launch featured a parade of nearly 10,000 candidates contesting the upcoming 2025 elections. Participants wore their political party uniforms and displayed the symbols they will use during the three-week electoral campaign, which will run from May 13 to June 2.
Addressing the gathering, Ndayishimiye urged candidates to present realistic and constructive programs rather than making empty promises. "Seeing all candidates to the elections parading altogether is a special event in Burundi's history. This is a great step in Burundi's democracy and unity," he said.
This event is a "true testimony that elections are just a game where the winner accepts the loser's support," he said, emphasizing that there should not be a fight as it happened in Burundi's past.
In a presidential decree issued Friday, Ndayishimiye set the campaign hours from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time, urging candidates to avoid holding rallies at workplaces and to coordinate with local authorities for their campaign schedules.
In addition to the legislative and district elections on June 5, Burundi will hold senatorial elections on July 23 and village-level elections on Aug. 25. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2027. ■