The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has concluded training for more than 200 election volunteers in Eastern Province ahead of next week’s grassroots elections.

The volunteers were called upon to participate in preparing polling sites, and mobilise residents to go and crosscheck their names on the updated voters lists. 

Closing the training on Thursday, NEC officials said hundreds of candidates vying for various posts within the local government had already submitted their candidatures.

"The training was meant to highlight the election procedures in order to avoid unnecessary irregularities during campaigns and elections. It is important that we update ourselves with election processes, to keep at par with rules and regulations that guide our elections, particularly the grassroots ones,” Frank Kayiranga, NEC coordinator in the province, said.

"We received candidates for district and sector advisory council committees, the national youth council, and women councils. More than 450 are contesting.”

The election volunteers were urged to stick to the guidelines and regulations of the electoral process, and not agree to be influenced by politicians or others.

NEC said the use of civic trainees as volunteers in the electoral process minimised the cost of financing elections.

NEC officials also tipped the candidates on the dos and don’ts of the electoral process.

"It is our duty to prepare and organise the elections- the dos and don’ts of the election process must be adhered to. The training also helps sensitise the public about the importance of voting for good leaders, based on reason, rationality and the candidate’s capacity rather than inducement or any other considerations,” Kayiranga said.

Jean-Marie Makombe, the executive secretary of the province, who attended the ceremony, reminded residents that voting if one of their rights and duties as citizens.

"Elections are a prerequisite for development, improved welfare and good governance. Rwandans need to actively participate in the electoral process and vote for responsible leaders. Successful elections need the full cooperation of all concerned parties,” he said.

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

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