Nearly 6 million Burundians went to the polls on Monday to elect village and neighborhood councilors, concluding the country’s 2025 electoral process.

Prosper Ntahorwamiye, chairperson of the National Independent Electoral Commission, said Burundi has 3,044 villages and neighborhoods, each entitled to five councilors, amounting to 15,220 seats in total. The candidate with the most votes will automatically become the village or neighborhood chief.

Polling ran nationwide from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time. Top leaders, including President Evariste Ndayishimiye, Vice-President Prosper Bazombanza, Prime Minister Nestor Ntahontuye, National Assembly Speaker Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe, and Senate President Gervais Ndirakobuca, cast their ballots in their native villages.

Voting was conducted calmly and without major irregularities, according to Ntahorwamiye.

After casting his ballot in his home village of Musama in Gitega Province, Ndayishimiye urged those elected to serve the people.

“We need good leaders; those who are at the service of the population. They should understand that being a leader is like being a volunteer,” said Ndayishimiye, adding that village and neighborhood chiefs are “closer to the people” and are well aware of challenges they face.