Burkina Faso: Campaign period May 13-26 for municipal elections May 28

Event

According to Burkina Faso’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), the campaign period for the May 28 municipal elections will begin Saturday, May 13, and last through May 26. Elections are taking place in 19 localities, including in Beguedo department (Boulgou province), Bouroum-Bouroum department (Poni province) and Zogore department (Yatenga province). Political rallies will likely be organized in the coming weeks and increased security surrounding political events and polling stations should be anticipated.

Context

Some of the municipalities holding elections failed to carry them out as scheduled in May 2016. Previous elections in many of these areas have caused unrest. On April 15, hundreds of people demonstrated in Beguedo after more than 800 people were barred from voting.

Advice

Individuals are advised to avoid all demonstrations and polling stations due to the risk of violence or other unrest, to monitor the situation, and to avoid politically sensitive discussions in public.

Due to serious threats of terrorism and kidnapping, individuals present in Burkina Faso are strongly advised to be discreet regarding personal details, particularly information concerning nationality, employment, family, etc. Individuals are also advised to avoid public events and places frequented by Westerners, to remain vigilant at all times (especially in local markets, now used by terrorists as recruitment grounds), and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. A number of Western governments advise against all travel to areas within 50 km (30 mi) of the Malian border above the Dori-Niangoloko line. Nonessential travel to the western city of Bobo-Dioulasso and border regions of Tapoa province is also advised against due to unstable security conditions along the borders.