Rwandans need actively participate in the electoral process and vote for responsible leaders.

Prof. Kalisa Mbanda, the chairperson of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), made the remarks on Tuesday during a meeting with local government officials and other election partners in Huye District that aimed at reinforcing partnerships for better election procedures.

Elections for local leaders are slated for February to March 2016. Presidential elections will be held in 2017 followed by parliamentary elections in 2018 and finally senatorial elections the following year.

Prof. Mbanda said although elections are held transparently, there still needs to be change in people’s mentality when it comes to voting.

"There are some people who say they go to vote because leaders have requested them to do so without understanding the significance of that (voting) activity. Each single vote has value in leading a country into a good direction,” he said.

Mbanda noted that successful elections can only be carried out with the full cooperation of all the concerned parties.

Southern Province Governor Alphonse Munyantwali reiterated the NEC cheif’s remarks, saying voting is among the rights and duties of citizens.

Elections are a prerequisite for development, welfare and good governance, he said.

Aside from local councilors who can be elected as many times as possible, local leaders are eligible for a maximum of two five year terms.

Pacifique Nduwimana, the provincial election coordinator in Southern Province, said that there are over 1.4 million people eligible to vote in the province.

According to the NEC, there are about 6.5 million people eligible to vote across the country.

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