Insecurity, the number one issue for elections in Burkina Faso
More than six million voters choose deputies and President of the Republic Sunday, November 22 in Burkina Faso (photo illustration).
ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP
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4 min
Nearly 6.5 million Burkinabè voters are called to the polls this Sunday, November 22 for the first round of the presidential election, a ballot coupled with legislative elections.
The 21,000 polling stations open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In all, thirteen candidates for the presidential election and 10,000 for the deputation.
These elections are taking place in a context marked by insecurity.
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With our special correspondent in Ouagadougou,
Carine Frenk
In 2015, Burkina Faso turned the page on
the transition
.
Roch Marc Christian Kaboré won in the first round.
Today, five years later, the euphoria that followed the popular uprising and the fall of Blaise Compaoré has given way to a certain disillusionment.
The country has plunged into a serious security and humanitarian crisis.
And many fear that this voting day will be marked by new terrorist attacks.
Because the context is one of growing insecurity in the country: the attacks of the jihadists, sometimes interwoven with inter-community conflicts, have killed at least 1,200 people since 2015 and more than a million displaced, or one inhabitant in twenty.
► Read also:
Terrorism in Burkina: in Ouaga, the people are looking for ways to cope
According to the electoral commission, due to this insecurity, 6% of the polling stations will not be able to open but the political parties have adopted a pragmatic approach: only the results of the open polling stations will be taken into account.
For these elections, the electoral framework is consensual.
The consolidation of democratic gains is at stake.
If the side of the MPP, the party in power, we say certain that the head of state will win in the first round, the opposition denounced, the day before the election, massive frauds in preparation and warned against any forced passage.
Burkina Faso has not had a second round since 1978.
Alliance of oppositions in the event of a second round
Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, outgoing president, plays a lot on the reassuring image of a man who knows how to listen and relies on his position as president in office.
Despite the criticism he has suffered throughout the campaign for the inaction that would characterize his governance, he tried to defend his record.
►
Roch Christian Kaboré: "Priority to military work" in the face of terrorism
Zéphirin Diabré, leader of the opposition with twenty seats in the National Assembly, is one of the main challengers of the head of state.
Former Deputy Director General of the UNDP, former Vice-President Africa of the French group Areva, he relies on his stature to convince but his UPC party has experienced its last years of resignations in cascade.
►
Burkina: Zéphirin Diabré (UPC) intends to form a government of national reconciliation
Eddie Komboïgo will represent the Congress for Democracy and Progress, the party of former President Blaise Compaoré.
He also believes in his victory and says that the CDP machine, which had been excluded from the 2015 presidential election, "
woke up
".
► Read also:
Eddie Komboïgo: "On the political, security, economic and social levels, Burkina is sinking into hell"
In addition, seven opposition candidates signed an agreement: whoever qualifies in the second round will have the support of all the others.
"
It will be the first round or half-round
", ironically an opponent while on the power side, we say serene.
► Read also:
Burkina: Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo promises a reform of the army against terrorism
Regarding the legislative elections, around 10,000 candidates and their substitutes from 126 political parties, formations and movements are vying for the 127 seats of deputies.
A major issue for these legislative elections: will the one who is elected be able to obtain a majority of deputies or will he be forced to seek alliances?
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Burkina Faso
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Roch Marc Christian Kaboré
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