Burundi elects a head of state – the president – and a legislature on the national level.
The National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) has 118 members, elected for a five-year term by proportional representation with a 2% barrier.
The Senate (Sénat) has 49 members, elected for a five-year term by electoral colleges of communal councilors.
Extra seats in both chambers can be added to ensure that ethnic and gender quotas are met.
Parties are usually based on ethnic background.