Hundreds gather Thursday, July 23, for the funeral procession of Emmanuel Ndere Yimana, an opposition supporter slain the day before in Bujumbura, Burundi. The Associated Press said Yimana is thought to be another victim of violence targeting those opposed to President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term in office. Critics say a third term is prohibited by a peace accord that ended the country's 1993-2003 civil war.
Hundreds gather Thursday, July 23, for the funeral procession of Emmanuel Ndere Yimana, an opposition supporter slain the day before in Bujumbura, Burundi. The Associated Press said Yimana is thought to be another victim of violence targeting those opposed to President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term in office. Critics say a third term is prohibited by a peace accord that ended the country's 1993-2003 civil war.
Jerome Delay/AP
A vendor listens to the news on his cell phone in Bujumbura on Wednesday, July 22. Election results will be announced Friday, with Nkurunziza likely to win a third term. Some opposition groups boycotted the election, and main opposition figure Agathon Rwasa said security forces frustrated his campaign.
A vendor listens to the news on his cell phone in Bujumbura on Wednesday, July 22. Election results will be announced Friday, with Nkurunziza likely to win a third term. Some opposition groups boycotted the election, and main opposition figure Agathon Rwasa said security forces frustrated his campaign.
Phil Moore/AFP/Getty Images
Nkurunziza is accompanied by first lady Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza, right, as he arrives on a bicycle to cast his vote in Ngozi, Burundi, on Tuesday, July 21.
Nkurunziza is accompanied by first lady Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza, right, as he arrives on a bicycle to cast his vote in Ngozi, Burundi, on Tuesday, July 21.
Berthier Mugiranez/AP
Election officials count votes at a polling station in Bujumbura on July 21.
Election officials count votes at a polling station in Bujumbura on July 21.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty images
People watch through a window as voting officials count ballot papers in Mubimbi, Burundi, on July 21.
People watch through a window as voting officials count ballot papers in Mubimbi, Burundi, on July 21.
Phil Moore/AFP/Getty Images
Ballots lie in a box at a polling station at the University of Burundi in Bujumbura on July 21.
Ballots lie in a box at a polling station at the University of Burundi in Bujumbura on July 21.
Landry Nshimiye/AFP/Getty Images
Residents line up before voting in the village of Buye on July 21.
Residents line up before voting in the village of Buye on July 21.
Phil Moore/AFP/Getty Images
A man rides past a barricade set up by protesters in Bujumbura on July 21. Animosity against Nkurunziza <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F05%2F14%2Fworld%2Fgallery%2Fburundi-unrest%2Findex.html" target="_blank">boiled over in April</a> when he expressed his intention to run for a third term. There have been protests and a failed coup.
A man rides past a barricade set up by protesters in Bujumbura on July 21. Animosity against Nkurunziza boiled over in April when he expressed his intention to run for a third term. There have been protests and a failed coup.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Buye on July 21.
A woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Buye on July 21.
Phil Moore/AFP/Getty Images
Soldiers guard a polling station in Bujumbura on July 21.
Soldiers guard a polling station in Bujumbura on July 21.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
A woman arrives at a polling station in Bujumbura on July 21.
A woman arrives at a polling station in Bujumbura on July 21.
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images
A man has his fingers inked in order to vote at a polling station in Bujumbura on July 21.
A man has his fingers inked in order to vote at a polling station in Bujumbura on July 21.
Landry Nshimiye/AFP/Getty Images
Election officials prepare the ballots on July 21.
Election officials prepare the ballots on July 21.
Jerome Delay/AP
Burundi elections: President seeks third term

Story highlights

Scores have died in Burundi since Nkurunziza said he will run again

Critics say a third term by him is prohibited by a peace accord that ended the 1993-2003 civil war

Bujumbura, Burundi CNN  — 

Polls opened in Burundi on Tuesday for a controversial presidential election where sitting leader Pierre Nkurunziza is seeking an unprecedented third term despite calls against his candidacy.

Scattered gunfire could be heard in the streets of the capital, Bujumbura, and ballot casting was light in the first hours after polling stations opened.

Overnight, two people – a police officer and a civilian – were killed in separate incidents in pre-election violence, authorities said.

Scores have died in Burundi since Nkurunziza said he will run for a third term, which would extend his decade in office by five more years.

Burundi President asks citizens to fund election despite protests

Critics say a third term is prohibited by a peace accord that ended the 1993-2003 civil war.

Protesters determined to prevent his candidacy have taken to the streets in the capital and have been met with deadly force by police.

More than 170,000 people have fled to neighboring nations, according to the United Nations, amid fears Burundi will return to a conflict similar to the civil war that left 300,000 people dead.

The turmoil also helped spawn an attempted coup in May while the President was out of the country.

The small, lush nation in central Africa has a population of almost 10.4 million.

Burundi opposition leader gunned down

CNN’s Faith Karimi contributed to this report