Despite a few irregularities in the recently concluded local leaders’ election, the Rwanda Civil Society (CSEOM) in it’s report has given recommendations aimed at avoiding reoccurence of mistakes that were highly due to lack of capacity and corruption among some polling officers.
However, the chief observer Eugene Rwibasira noted that the elections were fair and the voter-turn-up was impressive. “In general the elections were free and fair, there was high turn-up of voters that freely elected candidates of their choice,” he remarked.
The elections that started on 4 February to 5March saw the nomination of leaders from the cell to the district levels, other elections included representatives for both women and disabled people.
For the disabled and women elections, a good number of hindrances were seen especially in polling stations where voters arrived late and voting had to be postponed, while elections involving people with disabilities, in some districts they lacked candidates with the required academic qualification that allows only those with high school certificates to compete. The majority haven’t studied to this level.
Lack of adequate awareness was a challenge even though the election guidelines were published late since in some areas some voted without any legal documents (national identity or voter’s card).
Some election supervisors abused their powers by voting on behalf of some voters that had not turned up to vote. However,the National Electoral Commission (NEC) chairman Chrysologue Karangwa noted that disciplinary measures were taken against the fraudulent polling officers.
“In our future trainings to polling officers we will insist on honesty and transparency and of course we will also make the penalties clear hoping they wouldn’t favor anyone,” he remarked.
Another challenge was seen in the withdrawal of some candidates in the last minute which made it hard to inform voters on latest changes. “ There should be a time limit for the withdrawal of candidates that ends before candidates photographs are sent to the printer since this would not only avoid confusion but also reduce the printing costs and other resources,” Rwibasira pointed out.
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