The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has stressed the importance of elections in the democratisation process of the country and urged Rwandans to massively take part in the 2017 elections.

Meeting with dons of institutions of higher learning in the Eastern Province, at UNILAK Rwamagana campus, the NEC chairperson Prof. Kalisa Mbanda called on the academics to seek more understanding about, and explain the importance of elections to students in their respective institutions.

Taking the dons through the history and cultural values of Rwanda, Prof. Mbanda said every Rwandan, including the youth and students, should look at elections as key in the making of a country.

Free and fair elections ensure peace and stability of the country, he said. "There are countries where there is no chance to change a government through peaceful elections while in others most voters actually do not take part in elections. We have seen the repercussions of such, but as for us, we have to vote and vote for capable leaders, not just friends and or families,” said Mbanda.

Lydia Mitali, in charge of girls’ education, at the Ministry of Education said the ministry is working with all other ministries to ensure students understand their civil obligations and the essence of elections.

"We need graduates who know and practise their rights during elections and other national issues.”

The 2017 presidential elections are scheduled on August 3 for Rwandans in Diaspora and August 4 for those in the country.

Voter registration update is ongoing and Rwandans can check and relocate themselves on the electoral list. The relocation exercise will go on until May.

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