The presidential elections held in Burundi turned violent with grenade attacks and boycotts. According to reports there were three grenade attacks in the capital while two more explosions occurred din the northern  part of the country.

But despite all the political unrest, Pierre Nkurunziza remains unfazed and is all set to come out a winner. The presidential elections were supposed to bring about a transition in the war torn African nation, by bringing democracy and forming a  peaceful coalition deal with the rebels.

But the voters had very little choice as most of the opposition candidates  including the National Liberation Forces(FNL) pulled out of the elections claiming fraud. The aftermath of the violence wounded 60 civilians and killed at least 8  others.

From the observers point of view it was a poor turnout , especially in the Southern Bujumbura FNL bastion of Kanyosha were very few voters cast their votes. This is in high contrast to the turnout reported in the last month when hundreds of voters cast their votes in the local council polls.

Investigations are being conducted  and FNL has come under suspicion for propagating violence in the country. Some of the members of other opposition parties like the Movement of Solidarity and Development (MSD) have also been arrested in connection with the blasts.

[Source: Africa News Agency]