Millions of Rwandans across the country on Friday headed to polls to elect the next head of state. By 7pm, all the 2,340 polling stations and 16,691 polling rooms were open and they close at 3pm to pave way for the tallying process.
Millions of Rwandans across the country on Friday headed to polls to elect the next head of state.
By 7pm, all the 2,340 polling stations and 16,691 polling rooms were open and they close at 3pm to pave way for the tallying process.
The Executive Secretary National Electoral Commission (NEC), Charles Munyaneza told The New Times that 80% of the registered voters had cast their vote by 1pm.
RPF-Inkotanyi candidate, Paul Kagame arrived at APE-Rugunga polling station, in Kigali’s Nyarugenge District at 11:00am where he cast his vote.
Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party voted from Kimironko II Primary School polling station in Kigali’s Gasabo District. He was accompanied by wife.
VIDEO: Frank Habineza casts his vote. Source: YouTube/TheNewTimes
Meanwhile, Independent candidate, Philippe Mpayimana cast his vote at Camp Kigali primary School. Speaking to The New Times that he is confident and expects to win this election.
VIDEO: Philippe Mpayimana votes at Camp Kigali Primary School. Source: YouTube/TheNewTimes
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Rwandan in Diaspora vote
More than 44,000 registered Diaspora voters in Diaspora cast their votes today, a day before voters in the country also make their choice on who should lead the country for the next seven years.
The contest is between incumbent President Paul Kagame (RPF-Inkotanyi), Frank Habineza (Democratic Green Party of Rwanda), and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent.
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DAY TWENTY
Wednesday is the FINAL day of the 2017 presidential campaigns.
RPF–Inkotanyi candidate, Paul Kagame is set to hold his biggest rally of the presidential campaigns when he campaigns in Bumbogo, Gasabo District.
Independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana on Wednesday also campaigns in Gasabo District where he will hold a rally at Amahoro stadium.
Frank Habineza of Green Party campaigns in Nyabugogo in Nyarugenge District on Wednesday and later heads to Nyamirambo.
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DAY NINETEEN
With only one day left in the 2017 presidential campaigns, Paul Kagame of RPF-Inkotanyi campaigns in Gicumbi District, Northern Province. He will hold two rallies there.
On Tuesday, Green Party’s Frank Habineza campaigns in Burera District, Northern Province.
Independent candidate, Philippe Mpayimana campaigns in Huye, Ruhango and Bugesera districts on Tuesday. This will be his last day of campaigns.
DAY EIGHTEEN
It’s Day Seventeen of the 2017 presidential campaigns.
RPF Presidential candidate, Paul Kagame campaigns in Northern Province districts of Burera and Gakenke after taking a break on Sunday.
Green Party candidate Frank Habineza campaigns in Gasabo District, Kigali City on Monday.
Independent candidate, Philippe Mpayimana campaigns in Rulindo, Gakenke, Musanze District
DAY SEVENTEEN
RPF-Inkotanyi candidate, Paul Kagame takes a break today.
Green Party’s Frank Habineza on Sunday holds one rally in Huye District, Southern Province
DAY SIXTEEN
RPF-Inkotanyi presidential candidate holds rallies in Nyamasheke District, Western province.
Independent candidate, Philippe Mpayimana campaigns in Shyorongi in Rulindo District.
While Green Party's Frank Habineza campaigns in Rutsiro District
DAY FIFTEEN
Friday is Day Fifteen of the 2017 presidential campaigns.
President Paul Kagame and RPF flag bearer holds two rallies in Rusizi District, Western Province. He starts in Nyakabuye Sector and later makes a stop in Gihundwe Sector for his last rally of Friday.
Independent candidate Mpayimana takes a day off after holding rallies in Kirehe, Ngoma and Kayonza on Thursday.
Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party campaigns in the districts of Gakenke and Musanze this Friday.
DAY FOURTEEN
Thursday is Day Fourteen of the 2017 presidential elections.
After a hat trick of rallies in Musanze, Nyabihu and Rubavu districts yesterday, RPF-Inkotanyi candidate, Paul Kagame heads to Karongi and Rutsiro on Thursday.
VIDEO: RPF Presidential Campaigns in Karongi, 27 July 2017
Green Party's Frank Habineza is on Thursday expected to campaign in Ngororro and Kamonyi districts in Western and Southern provinces, respectively.
Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate is expected to take his dream of becoming the country’s top executive officer to electorate in Kirehe, Kayonza, Rwamagana, Ngoma and Kicuciro districts.
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DAY THIRTEEN
On Wednesday, RPF-Inkotanyi flag bearer, President Paul Kagame campaigns in Musanze, Nyabihu and Rubavu districts.
Independent candidate, Philippe Mpayimana campaigns in Gatsibo District and Kayonza District.
Meanwhile, Green Party presidential candidate, Frank Habineza will be holding rallies in Gicumbi district.
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DAY TWELVE
Today is the 12th day of the 2017 presidential campaigns.
RPF-Inkotanyi candidate takes a day off. He was scheduled to have rallies in Musanze, Nyabihu and Rubavu districts but they’ve been called off. He continues his rallies on Wednesday.
Green Party’s Frank Habineza will spend day eleven of the presidential campaigns in Kigabiro, Rwamagana District.
Independent Candidate, Philippe Mpayimana campaigns in Gicumbi District of Northern Province.
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DAY ELEVEN
We are into the 11th day of the 2017 presidential elections.
President Kagame of the RPF-Inkotanyi is off after holding three rallies on Sunday in Kirehe, Ngoma and Rwamagana Districts.
On Moday, Philippe Mpayimana campaigns in Kabaya & Gatumba sectors of Ngororero District & Bulinga sector in Muhanga District.
Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party on Monday campaigns in Juru Sector, Bugesera District.
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DAY TEN
It's Day Ten of the 2017 Presidential campaigns.
RPF-Inkotanyi candidate, Paul Kagame goes to three districts on Sunday. His first rally takes place in Kirehe District and later, he will campaign in Ngoma and Rwamagana Districts.
Green Party's Frank Habineza campaigns in Nyaruguru District and he'll thereafter head to Huye District for his second rally on Sunday afternoon.
Philippe Mpayimana starts his campaigns in Biryogo Cell, Nyarugenge District. Later on Sunday, he will hold rallies in Kicukiro centre, Gikondo, Remera and Kanombe .
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Day NINE
On Day NINE of the 2017 presidential campaigns, RPF-Inkotanyi flag bearer, Paul Kagame is in the Eastern Province where he is set to hold FOUR rallies.
On Saturday, Kagame will address two rallies in Nyagatare District and later continue in the Districts of Kayonza and Ngoma.
Independent candidate Mpayimana will be in Kamonyi District on Saturday.
Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green party goes to Nyamagabe district and later Nyanza District.
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Day Eight
RPF-Inkotanyi candidate is off today.
Green party's Frank Habineza goes to Ruhango and Gisagara districts in Southern Province on Friday.
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Day Seven
It’s now seven days since the 2017 presidential elections kicked off.
RPF-Inkotanyi flag bearer, Paul Kagame will hold rallies in Rulindo and Nyarugenge districts on Thursday. The RPF Chairman promised to visit every district in the country during these presidential campaigns.
Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party campaigns in Karongi and Muhanga districts in Western and Southern provinces, respectively.
Meanwhile, Independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana travels to Rubavu for yet another round of election campaigns.
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DAY SIX
It’s Day Six of the 2017 presidential campaigns.RPF-Inkotanyi is having three rallies this Wednesday, the first taking place in Nyabugogo before their candidate President Paul Kagame embarks on rallies in Bugesera and Kicuciro districts.
Independent candidate, Philippe Mpayimama campaigns in the districts of Karongi and Rutsiro. Our reporter, James Habimana has been informed by his campaign team that rallies that were supposed to start at 8am will be held at 2pm.
Meanwhile, Democratic Green Party candidate, Frank Habineza will hold campaigns in Rulindo and Nyabihu on Wednesday.
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DAY FIVE
RPF-Inkotanyi candidate, Paul Kagame is back on the campaign trail this Tuesday with rallies in Ngororero and Muhanga districts.
Democartic Green Party chief and flag bearer, Frank Habineza will be holding rallies in the districts of Ngoma and Kirehe.
Independent Candidate, Philippe Mpayimana goes to Nyamasheke District.
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DAY FOUR
RPF-Inkotanyi candidate, Paul Kagame takes a day off Monday after covering seven districts over the weekend. He plans to hold visit all 30 districts during the presidential campaigns. On Tuesday he will hold rallies in Muhanga and Ngororero districts.
Democratic Green Party candidate Frank Habineza travels to the Eastern Province in the districts of Nyagatare and Gatsibo on Monday.
Independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana is in Nyamagabe District for Day Four of the campaigns.
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DAY THREE
We are into Day three of the 2017 presidential elections.
RPF-Inkotanyi candidate, Paul Kagame will continue his campaign trail in the Southern Province with rallies in Nyamagabe, Huye, and Kamonyi districts.
Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party will not be campaigning this Sunday. On Monday he will travel to the Eastern Province in the districts of Nyagatare and Gatsibo.
Meanwhile, independent candidate, Philippe Mpayimana is expected in Save Sector, Gisagara district for Day Three of the presidential campaigns. Later in the afternoon, Mpayimana will hold a rally in Mukura sector, Huye District.
Saturday, is the second day of the 2017 Presidential campaigns.
After very successful rallies in Ruhango and Nyanza Districts on Friday, RPF- Inkotanyi candidate, Paul Kagame is scheduled to meet supporters in Nyaruguru District in the Saturday morning and later he travels to Gisagara District for his final rally of the day.
Frank Habineza, the flag bearer and president of Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, will be in Nyamasheke District, Western Province.
Meanwhile, independent candidate Phillipe Mpayimana heads to Muhanga and Nyanza districts for the second day of his campaigns.
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DAY ONE
Presidential campaigns got underway today with particularly thousands turning up for incumbent President Paul Kagame’s rally in Ruhango District.
Kagame is the flag bearer of the RPF-Inkotanyi, the governing party that came to power 23 years ago after liberating the country and ending the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Kagame is also backed by nine other political parties, whose leaders have been seen with Kagame or RPF campaign symbols at the rally in Ruhango.
Tens of thousands thronged the campaign venue in Ruhango town since early morning, with Kagame expected to address the gathering mid-morning before proceeding to Nyanza District for his second rally later in the day.
Kagame heads to Nyanza for his second rally of the day
President Paul Kagame is now addressing residents of Nyanza district after a successful campaign in neighboring Ruhango district.
Like, Ruhango district the RPF flag bearer was greeted by jubilating supporters in Nyanza district as they sang and danced to party songs.
Both Ruhango, Kagame’s birthplace, and Nyanza are in Southern Province.
Hundreds of Kagame’s supporters lined the streets along his path to the country’s south, including in Kigali’s commercial hub of Nyabugogo, waiting for the RPF candidate’s motorcade.
Kagame has arrived at the campaign venue but was yet to speak.
Meanwhile, independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana has arrived in Nyamata town, Bugesera District in Eastern Province where he is set to address his first rally.
Arriving about two hours behind the schedule, Mpayimana was seen by our reporter walking around town encouraging residents to turn up for his rally at Nyamata stadium.
Frank Habineza, the flag bearer and president of Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, headed to Rusizi in Western Province from where he will be launching his campaigns.
He was yet to arrive at the venue.
Meanwhile, as the candidates head to the countryside to kick-start their campaigns, the campaign mood is starting to be visible in the capital Kigali with campaigns putting up party flags, banners and posters around major public places such as roundabouts.
RPF and Kagame’s campaign materials are by far the dominant feature.
Businesses are expected to cash in on voters’ enthusiasm with many people expected to spend on campaign T-shirts, hats, among other materials.