Updated

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.