The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has confirmed that Rwandans who live in the diaspora will vote at 160 polling stations in 70 countries, including 44 embassies.
NEC's Executive Secretary Charles Munyaneza disclosed this to IGIHE ahead of the July 15 polls in which 3 candidates are vying for the country's top seat.
They are independent Candidate Philippe Mpayimana, Frank Habineza, the leader of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and Paul Kagame, the incumbent president and flag bearer of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi.
Munyaneza said that all election materials have already arrived at the polling stations, and preparations by voters and officials to help in the voting process are already in high gear.
'Our voters in the diaspora have everything already in place. They are set to conduct their voting. There is nothing that will stop the exercise from running smoothly,' he said.
Similarly in Rwanda, all polling materials are ready and they will be dispatched to respective polling stations between July 12 and July 14.
'Printing of the final batch of ballot papers has been completed today. We are waiting for the right time to start dispatching them to the respective polling stations.
Munyaneza disclosed that civic education has successfully been conducted throughout the country including for students most of whom are first-time voters.
According to him, final works in the setup of polling centers are underway. They include including the preparation of roads (for easy accessibility) and the installation of electricity (for those who do not have).
The official register at the National Electoral Commission indicates that 9,071,157 people are eligible to vote including more than 4.2 million males, and 4,845,417 females.
In the diaspora, 77,138 eligible voters are registered comprising 41,243 males and 35,895 females.
Rwanda's presidential and parliamentary elections are a significant event on the country's political calendar, with candidates presenting their visions for the future and engaging with the electorate to secure support.
Sam K Nkurunziza
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/voting-in-the-diaspora-to-be-held-in-70-countries
