The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has said 13 million ballot papers are being printed for district council polls due to take place on February 22.

Charles Munyaneza, NEC’s executive secretary said that the ballot papers shall be printed and delivered to all polling centres a day before the polls.

"We have already started printing ballot papers. About 13 million ballot papers shall be printed and will be transported from Kigali on February 20, and delivered to all polling centres on February 21 ahead of the polls,” said Munyaneza on Wednesday.

Rwanda has 6.49 million registered voters.

However, each voter is expected to have two ballots, with each individual voting for the general district councilor and the women representative.

"We printed a few extra more ballots for reserve, just in case of any incidents,” said Munyaneza.

On February 22 all citizens above 18 years will be expected to vote for the district council from councillors who will come from sectors through a secret ballot.

It is from these district council polls, that district executive committees will be elected, an exercise that will produce new district mayors and vice mayors in the February 27 vote.

There are over 2000 candidates currently campaigning for 832-district council seats, campaigns started on February 6 and will end on the day of elections, Munyaneza said.

According to NEC, there are 2312 polling centres and 16126 polling stations to be used across the country, for the district council polls.

Munyaneza said NEC shall use 72,272 election volunteers to facilitate in the local government elections.

"NEC has already accredited 1,149 election observers for the local government polls with the accreditation process supposed to end on February 19,” he added.

The New Times understands that electoral observers include those from the civil society platform.

According to NEC, for one to be elected a district councilor he or she must, be a Rwandan of integrity and at least 21-years-old or more.

The candidate for the district councilor post must also have a clean judicial record, and must not have been convicted of Genocide and other crimes against humanity, rape and murder. 

editorial@newtimes.co.rw