Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, who ignored local, African and global criticism of his bid for a third term, appeared likely to win Tuesday's contentious election when results are announced in several days.
Nkurunziza has faced an abortive military coup and furious street protests in recent months as he relied on a contentious technicality to claim that seeking reelection did not breach Burundi’s constitutional two-term limit. The restriction was also part of a peace deal that ended the country’s civil war.
Burundi’s opposition boycotted Tuesday’s vote, boosting Nkurunziza's reelection prospects. They called the balloting a sham after efforts to negotiate a compromise over the election failed on the weekend.