afrol News, 1 March - Burundi's opposition Democratic Alliance for Renewal (ADR) has elected the former vice-president, Alice Nzomukunda, as its candidate for the presidential election slated for June this year.

Ms Nzomukunda, the former second vice-president was unanimously elected by the 715 delegates late on Sunday who had attended a special party conference in the small central African state's capital Bujumbura.

Her campaign manager, Mathias Basabose, said Ms Nzomukunda has already occupied important positions and she had the courage to resign in protest at the incompetence and corruption that characterised the (ruling) Cndd-FDD regime.

"She is running for president today because she thinks that by being at the helm of this country, she can change things, fight against graft, impunity and under-development," he added.

Ms Nzomukunda, from the Hutu majority, was appointed second vice-president by President Pierre Nkurunziza in 2005. She resigned a year later and has headed the ADR opposition party since its official accreditation in August 2008.

She has been accused of putting the squeeze on civil and political liberties ahead of the communal, presidential and legislative elections due to be held between May and September.

Meanwhile, about 32, out of the 34 registered political parties in Burundi, have unveiled their different manifestoes they will use during the electioneering campaign for the general elections, slated for mid-2010.

Voters will go to the polls in May to elect new mayors before the presidential elections in June. It will be the turn of deputies and senators to be elected in July and August.

The elections will end with local community elections slated for September 2010.

Altogether, 3.5 million people have been registered to vote all over the country after rounding off the voters' registration.

Burundi has been battling to recover from the 13 year civil war since a peace deal was reached in 2006.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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