BUJUMBURA (BURUNDI) (AFP) -
Burundi's influential Catholic Church on Thursday said it was withdrawing its support for upcoming elections in the crisis-hit central African nation.
A statement from Burundi's bishops said that "after considering the manner in which the elections have been organised and the way they are evolving", the Church had asked priests who serve in electoral commissions across the country step down.
The announcement came the day after Burundi's main opposition parties said it was now "impossible" to hold free and fair elections and that the result should not be recognised if they take place.
Parliamentary elections are due to be held on June 5, with a presidential poll scheduled for June 26.
In the statement, read out on Catholic radio by Bishop Gervais Bashimiyubusa, the Church said it "cannot endorse an election riddled with shortcomings".
Read more:
http://www.france24.com/en/20150528-catholic-church-says-withdrawing-support-burundi-elections
