5 of 7 candidates pull out from Burundi presidential elections, citing violations

5 of 7 candidates withdraw from Burundi elections

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — Five presidential candidates in Burundi’s upcoming elections say they’re withdrawing from the race because of rigged voting.

The candidates announced their withdrawal Tuesday following a May 24 vote that opposition parties said were rigged by the ruling party, which received 64 percent of votes.

The current president and deputy president will remain in the race. Four rounds of voting remain.

This year’s elections come after nearly 16 years of civil war.

Burundi and its neighbor Rwanda have a bloodstained history, the result of politicians fomenting violence between Hutus and Tutsis to consolidate power.