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| Burundi opposition rejects new poll date | Burundi opposition rejects new poll date |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Burundi's opposition has rejected a proposal by the electoral commission to hold presidential polls on 15 July. | Burundi's opposition has rejected a proposal by the electoral commission to hold presidential polls on 15 July. |
| The opposition said its demand for free elections have not been met. | The opposition said its demand for free elections have not been met. |
| Separately, UN human rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein warned that a government-allied youth group was becoming increasingly violent. | |
| Burundi has been hit by unrest and a failed coup since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced in April that he would run for a third term. | |
| African news updates | African news updates |
| Western donors have cut some aid to the country, and say they will not help finance the election. | Western donors have cut some aid to the country, and say they will not help finance the election. |
| Mr Nkurunziza's spokesman Philippe Nzobonariba said his decision to stand for re-election was "non-negotiable", and the polls would not be delayed again. | Mr Nkurunziza's spokesman Philippe Nzobonariba said his decision to stand for re-election was "non-negotiable", and the polls would not be delayed again. |
| 'Unconstitutional' | 'Unconstitutional' |
| Mr al-Hussein said his office received nearly 50 phone calls a day from people across Burundi pleading for protection. | |
| The Imbonerakure youth group was accused of summary executions, tortures and beatings, and "could tip an already extremely tense situation over the edge," he said.. | |
| The electoral commission proposed on Monday that presidential elections, originally scheduled for 26 June, take place on 15 July, which falls short of a call by regional leaders to delay the poll by at least six weeks. | |
| The commission has suggested that parliamentary elections, originally due on 5 June, be shifted to 26 June. | The commission has suggested that parliamentary elections, originally due on 5 June, be shifted to 26 June. |
| None of the opposition parties attended the meeting where the commission unveiled the new dates, Reuters news agency reports. | |
| A group of 17 opposition parties had earlier issued a statement saying they were committed to dialogue, but repeated their demand for the 51-year-old president, who survived a coup attempt last month, to quit, it reports. | |
| The BBC French Service's Venuste Nshimiyimana reports that one of the main opposition parties, the National Liberation Forces (FNL), has condemned the electoral commission's proposal as unconstitutional. | The BBC French Service's Venuste Nshimiyimana reports that one of the main opposition parties, the National Liberation Forces (FNL), has condemned the electoral commission's proposal as unconstitutional. |
| FNL secretary-general Adolphe Banyikwa said the five-member body lacked a quorum, after two of its members fled to Rwanda because they feared for their lives. | FNL secretary-general Adolphe Banyikwa said the five-member body lacked a quorum, after two of its members fled to Rwanda because they feared for their lives. |
| Its decisions were, therefore, invalid, Mr Banyikwa said. | Its decisions were, therefore, invalid, Mr Banyikwa said. |
| 'A parody' | 'A parody' |
| More than 20 people have been killed since 25 April in protests against Mr Nkurunziza's bid to extend his 10-year rule. | More than 20 people have been killed since 25 April in protests against Mr Nkurunziza's bid to extend his 10-year rule. |
| More than 100,000 have fled to neighbouring states, aid agencies say. | More than 100,000 have fled to neighbouring states, aid agencies say. |
| Another opposition leader, Charles Nditije, told the AFP news agency that Burundi could not hold elections in the current climate. | Another opposition leader, Charles Nditije, told the AFP news agency that Burundi could not hold elections in the current climate. |
| "If things remain as they are, we consider that it will be a masquerade, a parody of elections," Mr Nditije is quoted as saying. | "If things remain as they are, we consider that it will be a masquerade, a parody of elections," Mr Nditije is quoted as saying. |
| Meanwhile, the main civil society group in Burundi said it had written to UN chief Ban Ki-moon, demanding the resignation of his chief mediator, Said Djinnit. | |
| Mr Djinnit had not focused on Mr Nkurunziza bid for re-election, which is the root of the crisis in Burundi, the letter said. | Mr Djinnit had not focused on Mr Nkurunziza bid for re-election, which is the root of the crisis in Burundi, the letter said. |
| The opposition says Mr Nkurunziza's attempt to run for office again contravenes the constitution, which states a president can only serve two terms. | The opposition says Mr Nkurunziza's attempt to run for office again contravenes the constitution, which states a president can only serve two terms. |
| But Mr Nkurunziza's supporters argue that he is entitled to another term because he was first elected by parliament in 2005 - not voters. The Constitutional Court has ruled in favour of the president. | But Mr Nkurunziza's supporters argue that he is entitled to another term because he was first elected by parliament in 2005 - not voters. The Constitutional Court has ruled in favour of the president. |