1993 Burundian presidential election explained

Country:Burundi
Type:presidential
Previous Election:1984 Burundian presidential election
Previous Year:1984
Next Election:2005 Burundian presidential election
Next Year:2005
Turnout:97.31%
Nominee1:Melchior Ndadaye
Party1:Front for Democracy in Burundi
Popular Vote1:1,483,904
Percentage1:65.68%
Nominee2:Pierre Buyoya
Party2:Union for National Progress
Popular Vote2:742,360
Percentage2:32.86%
President
Before Election:Pierre Buyoya
Before Party:Union for National Progress
After Election:Melchior Ndadaye
After Party:Front for Democracy in Burundi

Presidential elections were held in Burundi on 1 June 1993 following the approval of a new constitution in a referendum the previous year. They were the first multi-party elections for the presidency, the only previous elections in 1984 having been held at a time when the country was a one-party state. They were also only the second contested national elections held in the country since independence in 1962.

Three candidates entered the contest, with Melchior Ndadaye of the Front for Democracy in Burundi defeating incumbent President Pierre Buyoya with 66% of the vote. Voter turnout was 97.3%.[1]

This election was a watershed for Burundi. It represented the end of the military-backed Tutsi-dominated state that had been in place since 1966, and the first peaceful transfer of power in the country’s republican history.

Candidates

Aftermath

Melchior Ndadaye's election victory put FRODEBU in prime position for a comfortable win in legislative election held on 29 June 1993.

Ndadaye was sworn in as the first Hutu president of Burundi on 10 July 1993. His rule would be short, however, as he was assassinated on 21 October 1993 during a military coup attempt by elements of the predominantly Tutsi army. Thereafter, the country plunged into a full-scale civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.eisa.org.za/wep/bur1993results2.htm Burundi: 1993 Presidential election results