KIGALI - As Rwandans begin the countdown to the next Presidential elections, the country’s Forum For Political Parties (FFPP) says that preparations are in high gear with the forum providing financial and civil assistance to all parties under its umbrella.

The Forum for Political Organizations is constitutionally recognized in Rwanda as a platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas among political organizations on the country’s problems and national policies.

The Forum’s Executive Secretary, Anicet Kayigema says that they were currently focusing on training leaders of political parties on campaign strategy, manifesto formulation and public speaking, among others.

"We are currently training heads of political parties and where we cannot do it, we provide funds to support the process,” he said

Kayigema told The New Times that the government had provided Rwf 80m as the July 2009/June 2010 budget support to the Forum.

Kayigema acknowledged the insufficiency of the funds but was quick to point out that the money provided was provided as support.

"”Yes, the money we give the parties is not a lot. Its like Rwf 8 million each annually, but this is support from the government, meaning that they already have other sources of income,” he said

The number of Rwandans ready to cast their votes in the forthcoming Presidential elections has hiked by over half a million to 5.3 million compared to last year’s figures for the parliamentary polls. It will also have 120 local observers who will come from all the ten political parties.

The Forum is a permanent framework for capacity building for member political organizations, the same platform is used in mediating conflict in case there is a misunderstanding between each other.

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