Nkurunziza wins third term as Burundi President: electoral commission

July 24, 2015 08:34 pm | Updated 08:57 pm IST - Bujumbura

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza (C) greets journalists at a beginning of a news conference in Bujumburi, Burundi, May 17, 2015.

Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza (C) greets journalists at a beginning of a news conference in Bujumburi, Burundi, May 17, 2015.

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has won a third five-year term as the leader of the small east African nation, the country's electoral commission said on Friday, after a vote marred by violence and a boycott by the opposition.

Pierre Claver Ndayicariye, head of the electoral commission, told reporters Mr. Nkurunziza had won 69.41 per cent of the votes cast. Mr. Nkrurunziza's nearest rival, Agathon Rwasa, took 18.99 per cent.

The vote took place on Tuesday, despite calls by African leaders and Western powers for it to be delayed due to rising insecurity and the boycott by opposition candidates whose names remained on the ballot paper.

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