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Burundi counting votes in presidential election

Election officials start counting the ballots after polls closed in the presidential elections in Bujumbura, Burundi, Tuesday July 21, 2015. Burundi voted in its disputed presidential election Tuesday following a night of gunfire in which three people were killed, including two police officers, in unrest over President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term that his opponents say is unconstitutional. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) Election officials start counting the ballots after polls closed in the presidential elections in Bujumbura, Burundi, Tuesday July 21, 2015. Burundi voted in its disputed presidential election Tuesday following a night of gunfire in which three people were killed, including two police officers, in unrest over President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term that his opponents say is unconstitutional. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

By Associated Press July 22, 2015 1 min read

BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) – The head of Burundi’s electoral commission says vote counting is underway and results are expected Thursday for a controversial election in which incumbent President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in power has sparked widespread unrest.

Electoral Commission President Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye said Wednesday that 74 percent of the 3.8 million registered voters cast their ballots. Nkurunziza is expected to win the election after some opposition groups boycotted the poll.

The U.S. said the legitimacy of the election has been tainted by the government’s harassment of opposition and civic groups, closing down of media outlets and intimidation of voters. More than 100 people have died in protests opposing Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term that opponents say is unconstitutional.