Burundi's main opposition leader Agathon Rwasa looks on during the
opening session of the National Assembly in Bujumbura, on July 27, 2015.
He says the government-led “voluntary” monetary contribution towards
the 2020 General Election kitty as unconstitutional. AFP PHOTO | PHIL
MOORE
Opposition leaders in Burundi have dismissed a government-led
“voluntary” monetary contribution towards the 2020 General Election
kitty as unconstitutional, arguing that citizens are already paying
taxes to the treasury.
The 2020 election will be the
first one the country fully funds after key donors, the European Union
and the United States, suspended direct aid citing human-rights
violations since 2015 when protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza
erupted.
“We
have an idea of how much can be set aside for the elections, so why are
we being asked to contribute more from our monthly wages for the
polls?” Agathon Rwasa, an opposition leader and deputy speaker of
parliament told The EastAfrican.
Mr Rwasa’s
comments came after it was announced that part of members of parliament
and civil servants’ salary would be used to pay for the general
election.
“No one is being forced to contribute,” said assistant Home Affairs Minister Terence Ntahiraja.
Early
last year, President Nkurunziza deposited his contribution for the 2020
general elections in the central bank, followed by other government
officials, ruling party supporters and citizens.
The
government said those civil servants who are not willing to contribute
for the elections should write an official letter to the Home Affairs
minister. Every household is expected to pay $1.14 per year.
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