Burundi court validates president's bid for a third term

A demonstrator seriously wounded by live ammunition waits for treatment in a small clinic in the Musaga district of Bujumbura, Burundi, Monday May 4, 2015. Anti-government demonstrations resumed in Burundi's capital after a weekend pause as thousands continue to protest the president's decision to seek a third term. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) (The Associated Press)

Demonstrators block the road in the rural village of Rwenza near Bujumbura, Burundi, Tuesday May 5, 2015. The Constitutional court validated President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to seek a third term, amid street protests.(AP Photo/Jerome Delay) (The Associated Press)

A demonstrator faces police in the Musaga district of Bujumbura, Burundi, Tuesday May 5, 2015. The Constitutional court validated President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to seek a third term, amid violent street protests.(AP Photo/Jerome Delay) (The Associated Press)

The ruling party in Burundi says the country's constitutional court has validated the president's bid for a third term.

Evelyne Butoyi, who is in charge of information for Burundi's ruling party, says the court reached the decision in support of the ruling party on Tuesday.

The court deputy president was apparently no present. The state-controlled New Times newspaper of Rwanda reported Tuesday court Deputy President Sylvere Nimpangaritse fled to Rwanda on Monday amid street protests over President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to seek a third term.

Nkurunziza was chosen by lawmakers to be president for his first term in 2005 and was re-elected in a popular vote in 2010.

Burundi's constitution says the president is elected by universal direct suffrage for a mandate of five years, renewable one time.