Burundi’s opposition leader Agathon Rwasa is claiming an early victory in the country’s first presidential election in five years.
But Rwasa told VOA’s Central African service that polling officers from his National Council for Liberty (CNL) party said he is winning.
“The trend is that CNL is leading in presidential, parliamentary and even in communal elections in general,” Rwasa said.
Rwasa told VOA that Wednesday was a “great day” for Burundi, but he accused the ruling party of “mischief” and holding the election in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
Although he is making an early claim of victory, Rwasa alleged the elections “were not free, they weren’t fair, and they weren’t that transparent.”