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Burundi Votes in Opposition-Boycotted Election


A voter casts her vote at a polling station in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, 23 July 2010
A voter casts her vote at a polling station in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, 23 July 2010

Voters in Burundi are casting ballots in a parliamentary election the ruling party is almost certain to win, amid a boycott by an opposition coalition.

The opposition also boycotted last month's presidential election. Unopposed, President Pierre Nkurunziza was re-elected.

The opposition decided to boycott both votes after accusing the president of using fraud to win local elections in May. International observers said there was no evidence of tampering.

Security has also been a concern during this election season. Burundi has been on alert since Somali insurgents threatened to attack the country for its role in the peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

Somali Islamist rebel group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for bombings in Uganda earlier this month that killed 76 people. It said the attacks were revenge for Ugandan participation in the peacekeeping force.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

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