Official opening ceremony of the 2025 election campaign

On Friday, May 9, 2025, Senate Speaker, Right Honorable Emmanuel Sinzohagera, accompanied by the First and Second Deputy-speakers of the Senate; the honorable senators and the senior Senate officials, participated in the official opening of the 2025 election campaign, presided over by the President of the Republic of Burundi, His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye.

The festivities took place at Ingoma Stadium, in Gitega Province, and began with a long colorful parade of parliamentary candidates and communal councilors. At the head of the procession were the commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), followed by members of the Independent Provincial Electoral Commissions (CEPI) and the Independent Communal Electoral Commissions (CECI) representing each province.

After a welcoming address by the Governor of Gitega Province, the following authorities also successively delivered their speeches: the representative of independents; the representative of opposition parties; the Secretary General of the CND-DFDD party, and the President of the National Electoral Commission. In their speeches, all of these authorities called for democratic, free, peaceful, inclusive, and transparent elections.

The circumstantial speech was delivered by His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye. He urged all political parties and independent candidates to respect the electoral law and collaborate for the development and unity of the country. He also called on the judiciary to be vigilant and punish anyone who attempts to disturb public order. The President emphasized that, during this election period, fuel will be available in all provinces to facilitate the campaign.

The ceremony was also attended be the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, the Ombudsman, and many other dignitaries.