Burkina Faso says its poll will be valid, whatever the turnout
Rising jihadist violence may keep millions of voters from the polls
WHAT MAKES a national election national? One answer is that everyone is able to vote. But politicians in Burkina Faso disagree. With little consultation, the main political parties have voted to change the electoral code so that presidential and legislative elections to be held in November will be deemed valid even if people are unable to vote in the vast tracts of the country that are plagued by jihadists.
This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “Sacking the voters”
Middle East & Africa September 5th 2020
From the September 5th 2020 edition
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