MUHANGA/NGOMA — Women vying for the women’s seat in the next parliament last week continued their bid in different districts of the country.

In Muhanga, the rally was presided over by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) president, Prof. Chrysologue Karangwa at Muhanga Cultural Center.

Addressing the candidates, Prof. Karangwa urged them to ensure peaceful campaigns.

The race for the women’s seat in the Southern and Eastern Provinces attracted 24 candidates. Only six of them will be elected during the September 16 polls by members of the Electoral College comprising members of the National Women Council at sector levels and members of the district women committee among others.

"The rules and regulations of the commission have to be observed in order to have peaceful and harmonious campaigns,” Karangwa said.

Advising the women to uphold NEC guidelines, Karangwa explained that women candidates are not campaigning on any political party ticket.

Phiona Magana, one of the candidates, opened the campaigns which are seen as tightly competitive due to the pledges in most of their manifestos.

Women economic and social empowerment, advocacy, rural development and promoting gender balance cut across the manifestos of all the candidates.

Karangwa warned that any candidate could be disqualified for breaching the rules and regulations, citing bribery and campaigning beyond the recommended time as some of the abuses.

He also warned them against wasting time, saying the remaining few days could be fruitful if everything is done in accordance with the guidelines.

Karangwa disclosed that some cases of conflicts between residents and party campaign agents have been reported in Kamonyi District over placing party campaign posters on people’s doors and shops.

At the rally, some women voters argued that in the past parliament, most women legislatures abandoned the village woman and concentrated on towns.

"On September 16, we want to vote for candidates who will reach out to the rural women and visit the activities and efforts of women upcountry,” Vestine Muganza, one of the women who turned up for the rally said.

The candidates are expected to traverse all the eight districts in the Southern Province in the next few days. 

Meanwhile in Ngoma District, the 24 women contenders in the Eastern Province promised to fight for the rights of women once elected to parliament.

At a rally at the district, the candidates also promised to work hard towards achieving the government’s Vision 2020.

Four of the candidates, Marie Clare Ingabire, Liberata Irambona and Marie Gorrette Iyankurije are searching for votes to propel them into a second term, having served in the past parliament.

The candidates were presented before hundreds of voters who comprise the Electoral College, by Constance Mukabagirishya, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) representative in the district.

Alain Robert Kayiranga, an official of the NEC also called on both candidates and voters to uphold the rules and regulations governing the elections to ensure peace and security in the country.

Bribes and the use of abusive languages to win votes are the other things Kayiranga said are not allowed.

He called on candidates to hold rallies during the prescribed time and right venues.

The rallies that started in the districts of Nyagatare then to Gatsibo, Kayonza and Kirehe before taking place in Ngoma, will continue to Rwamagana today on Monday before winding up on Tuesday in Bugesera.

Ends