NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMB—Disabled persons from all sectors in Gicumbi district this week assembled to elect five committee member representing them and their interest to the district government.

The elected disabled persons were drawn from four groups namely; the mentally retarded, the deaf, the blind and those with physical disabilities.

Hotly-contested elections were noticed for the post of presidency to represent the mentally disabled.

Vincent Hategekimana narrowly beat Samuel Munyakazi with 36 votes against 34 votes for Munyakazi.

Theresa Mukamabano won vice-president with 27 votes and Marie Chantal Uwera beat her opponents with a wide margin of 53 votes for the post of secretary.

The blind turned up in large numbers compared to other groups.

Eric Nkundayezu was unanimously voted with 81 votes for the post of presidency for blind people in the area, beating rival Denis Ntangungira who tailed only 14 votes.

Unlike other disabled persons, the physically disabled held elections at the district main hall while seated by secret ballot.

This was because some had missing limps that could not enable them to stand behind the candidates of their choice.

Boniface Libela beat Jean Bernard Kalanga with 57 votes to 32 votes.

"The elections were carried out successfully with no irregularities,” said the elections coordinator Eugene Tugireyezu.

Ends