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Burundians vote in disputed presidential elections

Policemen patrol the Musaga district of Bujumbura, Burundi, Monday July 20, 2015. Government representatives failed to show up Sunday for talks in Burundi aimed at ending the unrest caused by the president's controversial bid for a third term, forcing the mediation to be adjourned just ahead of Tuesday's election, the talks facilitator said. Burundi has been rocked by violence that has left more than 100 people dead. Over 144,000 people have fled the country since the ruling party announced President Pierre Nkurunziza's candidacy in April. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Policemen patrol the Musaga district of Bujumbura, Burundi, Monday July 20, 2015. Government representatives failed to show up Sunday for talks in Burundi aimed at ending the unrest caused by the president's controversial bid for a third term, forcing the mediation to be adjourned just ahead of Tuesday's election, the talks facilitator said. Burundi has been rocked by violence that has left more than 100 people dead. Over 144,000 people have fled the country since the ruling party announced President Pierre Nkurunziza's candidacy in April. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) Policemen patrol the Musaga district of Bujumbura, Burundi, Monday July 20, 2015. Government representatives failed to show up Sunday for talks in Burundi aimed at ending the unrest caused by the president's controversial bid for a third term, forcing the mediation to be adjourned just ahead of Tuesday's election, the talks facilitator said. Burundi has been rocked by violence that has left more than 100 people dead. Over 144,000 people have fled the country since the ruling party announced President Pierre Nkurunziza's candidacy in April. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

By Associated Press 1 min read

BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) – A low turnout is being reported in several polling stations in Burundi’s capital at the start of voting in the country’s presidential election, following a night of explosions and gunfire in at least two opposition strongholds that oppose President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in office.

The body of a man identified as an opposition official lay on the road in the largely opposition Nyakabiga district, where residents alleged Tuesday that police and intelligence officials exploded grenades and fired live ammunition for most of the night to scare them away from demonstrating over the president’s candidacy.

Honore Niyomukiza, who is in charge of voting centers in Cibitoke district, says the gunshots and explosions have kept away voters, though most polling station opened around 6 or 7 a.m.