Bujumbura: Burundi`s electoral commission on Monday suggested postponing an upcoming presidential election until July 15, after weeks of protests over President Pierre Nkurunziza`s third-term bid.
The commission also proposed delaying parliamentary elections until June 26.
The parliamentary election had been scheduled to take place on June 5 but was postponed indefinitely on the eve of the vote, while the presidential vote was initially scheduled for June 26.
Around 40 people have died since late April when Burundi`s ruling party nominated Nkurunziza to stand for a third term, triggering mass demonstrations and a failed coup attempt.
Nkurunziza`s opponents say his candidacy is unconstitutional and goes against the 2006 Arusha peace deal that ended 13 years of civil war.
"The date of July 15 is suggested for the holding of the presidential election," the head of the electoral commission, Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye, announced, noting that the move was in line with a recommendation made by East African leaders who had called for the elections to be delayed.
