– Opposition, media clampdown –
The UN observers said ruling party candidates were able to campaign throughout the country but that opposition politicians were “much less visible.”
The report described widespread media restrictions, with journalists targeted for assaults, detentions, attacks and expulsions.
International alarm has been growing over the crisis in Burundi, triggered by Nkurunziza’s bid to run for a third consecutive five-year term.
Opponents say that is unconstitutional and violates a peace accord that ended 13 years of civil war in 2006.
At least 70 people have been killed and more than 140,000 have fled Burundi seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.
The UN Security Council met to discuss the crisis and the way forward after hearing a report from envoy Abdoulaye Bathily.
Bathily cast doubt on the government’s willingness to hold talks with the opposition to try to resolve the crisis, according to diplomats who were present at the closed-door meeting.
During a council meeting last week, Burundi’s Ambassador Albert Shingiro described the opposition as “spoiled brats” who were making too many demands and insisted that the elections would go forward.
The council has been struggling for months to agree on a common stance on the Burundi crisis, with Russia insisting it is an internal matter and African countries reluctant to take a strong position.
New Zealand’s Ambassador Gerard Jacobus van Bohemen, who holds this month’s presidency of the Security Council, said the 15 members “expressed concern that the minimum conditions for free, fair, transparent and credible elections were not met.”
East African leaders are due to address the Burundi crisis at their summit meeting on Monday.
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