Burundi's presidential election is scheduled to go on as planned despite the COVID-19 pandemic that has ravaged the world.

Slated for Wednesday 20 May, the vote will be the first since 2005 in which President Pierre Nkurunziza will not be on the ballot.

The ruling party has fronted Evariste Ndayishimiye, a retired army general, to succeed Nkurunziza at the helm.

Campaigns are to end on Saturday ahead of the vote.

Six other candidates are running, including opposition leader Agathon Rwasa, deputy chairman of the national assembly and leader of the CNL party.

Burundi has been marred by violence since 2015 when Nkurunziza announced his bid for a controversial third term in office, one which he went on to win.

Nearly half a million people fled and the economy is still struggling to recover from the effects of the conflict.

Even though the elections will be held next week, Nkurunziza will remain as president until August.