The chairman of the Burundian National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) has said that four of the 10 candidates that filed for the May 20 presidential election did not meet requirements, the East African reported.

Speaking at a press briefing in the Burundian commercial centre Bujumbura, Pierre Claver Kazihise said that the four were rejected because they did not meet the requirements set by the national constitution or the electoral code.

He failed to give further information.

The East African said that the four rejected applicants included Jacques Bigirimana for the National Liberation Forces, former President Domitien Ndayizeye for the Kira Burundi coalition, Valentin Kavakure for the FPN-Imboneza party and Anicet Niyonkuru for the Council of the Patriots party.

Kazihise said that the rejected candidates could appeal against the decision to the Constitutional Court, within two days.

On May 20, Burundi will hold general elections that combine the presidential election, legislative elections and district council elections.