President Pierre Nkurunziza

East African leaders on Monday demanded Burundi delay a controversial presidential election by two weeks until July 30, after weeks of unrest and parliamentary polls internationally condemned for not being free and fair.

President Pierre Nkurunziza, who skipped the summit in Tanzania to campaign for a third consecutive five-year term in office, has repeatedly rejected international criticism and calls for delays. The presidential vote is due on July 15.