This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-33307942

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Burundi holds general election amid tensions Burundi elections: 'Grenade' targets polling station
(about 5 hours later)
Elections are being held in Burundi despite an opposition boycott and weeks of protests over President Pierre Nkurunziza's plan to seek a third term. A grenade has been thrown at a polling station at the start of Burundi's parliamentary election, witnesses say.
Polls in the parliamentary and local elections opened on Monday morning. Elections are being held despite an opposition boycott and weeks of protests over President Pierre Nkurunziza's plan to seek a third term.
Electoral commission spokesman Prosper Ntahorwamiye told the BBC that he was unaware of any incidents.
The African Union (AU) has not sent observers - the first time it has taken such a stance against a member state.
Presidential elections are due next month.
Gunfire has been heard nightly in the capital, Bujumbura, and scores of people have been killed in unrest since a failed coup attempt last month.Gunfire has been heard nightly in the capital, Bujumbura, and scores of people have been killed in unrest since a failed coup attempt last month.
Several polling stations have been attacked in the capital and in the provinces, according to police officials quoted by the AFP news agency on Monday.
Africa live: Latest news updates
President Nkurunziza in profile
What’s behind the coup bid?
One resident in the Kinindo district told the BBC's Maud Jullien that there had been gunfire and he was too scared to venture out.
Witnesses told her the grenade was thrown at 0800 local time (0600 GMT) in Musaga where support for the opposition is strong.
Voters queued up in several neighbourhoods seen as ruling party strongholds, while in many others, where there have been months of protests against the president's bid for a third term in office, almost no-one showed up to vote.
The electoral commission spokesman said the vote was going smoothly.
The AU said conditions for a free and fair vote have not been met.
The European Union has also withdrawn its election observers, saying the lack of basic conditions to ensure the vote's credibility would only worsen the crisis in the country.
The AU and the UN had called for the parliamentary election to be postponed. But the government rejected the demands, saying conditions were stable enough for a vote, while a delay could create a dangerous political vacuum.
The presidential election was due in June but was put back to 15 July after pressure from regional leaders.The presidential election was due in June but was put back to 15 July after pressure from regional leaders.
The African Union (AU) is not sending observers to the general election, saying conditions for a free and fair vote have not been met.
The AU and the UN had called for the election to be postponed. But the government rejected the demands, saying conditions were stable enough for a vote, while a delay could create a dangerous political vacuum.
Poll boycott
Several polling stations had been attacked in the capital and in the provinces, according to police officials quoted by the AFP news agency on Monday.
Many in Bujumbura say the unrest has prevented them from registering to vote, adding that they feel the outcome of the process is already known.Many in Bujumbura say the unrest has prevented them from registering to vote, adding that they feel the outcome of the process is already known.
Several leading opposition parties have said they will boycott the election.
On Sunday, the speaker of parliament, Pie Ntavyohanyuma, said he had left the country because he feared he would be killed.On Sunday, the speaker of parliament, Pie Ntavyohanyuma, said he had left the country because he feared he would be killed.
Tensions in Burundi have forced more than 100,000 people to flee this year.Tensions in Burundi have forced more than 100,000 people to flee this year.
Leading opposition parties and civil society groups are boycotting the poll.
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 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 ruled in favour of the president.
Some 3.8 million Burundians are eligible to vote.Some 3.8 million Burundians are eligible to vote.