Burundi presidential vote set for June 2015

BUJUMBURA - Burundi's presidential vote will be held in June 2015, its electoral commission announced on Friday, amid concerns over political freedoms in the landlocked east African state.

The first round of voting will be held on June 26 with any possible run-off taking place the following day, commission head Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye said at a press conference.

The tiny nation in Africa's Great Lakes region emerged in 2006 from 13 years of brutal civil war and its political climate remains fractious as next year's poll looms.

President Pierre Nkurunziza, in power since 2005, is believed to be planning a third term in office, which his opponents claim would violate Burundi's constitution.

The 2010 general election was boycotted by opposition parties, sparking widespread violence.

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