Elections in Burundi have started with over five million voters expected to participate in the elections and cast their vote for their preferred candidate for presidency.
As at 06:00 local time (04:00GMT) polling stations had already opened with people casting their vote to elect their president, members of parliament and communal council members.
Seven candidate has stod to be elected to replace the current president Pierre Nkurunzinza, with the main contenders being Agathon Rwasa of the opposition CNL party and Evariste Ndayishimiye from the ruling CNDD-FDD party.
Voters in the diaspora will not cast their ballot because of coronavirus meaning only people in the country would be allowed to vote and choose their candidate.
Preliminary results are expected to be out on 25 May.
The electoral commission announced that there will be 53 international observers who include personnel for the embassies of Tanzania, Egypt, China, Kenya, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Russia and Africa Union mission in Burundi.
The commission has banned the use of mobile phones and cameras by observers and poll agents inside polling stations.
