The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has set March 3 as the deadline of holding by-elections to fill the vacant posts of Mayors and vice Mayors in the districts of Rwamagana and Musanze in the Eastern and Northern provinces respectively.

This was confirmed yesterday by Charles Munyaneza, the Executive Secretary of NEC.

The Musanze Mayor’s office fell vacant late last year following the arrest of the Mayor Celestin Karabayinga, along with the former district Executive Secretary, Oswald Habumuremyi and an official in charge of culture and sports.

The trio is accused of embezzling up to Rwf12 m that was meant to finance activities of civic education (Ingando) in the district.

The New Times has also learnt that Karabayinga who was later released on bail will re-appear in court on February 23 for the verdict.

In Rwamagana, Mayor Valens Ntezirembo, and both vice Mayors; Alphonsine Murekatete (Social Affairs) and Jean Baptiste Ndanyuzwe (Economic planning), tendered in their resignations.

Ntezirembo was later arrested together with several officials of the district and accused of flouting tendering procedures in the district.

NEC has also set February 27 for the by-elections to fill the vacant posts of councillors in the two districts.

The councillorships to be filled are those of Mwurire, Gahengeri and Muhazi sectors in Rwamagana district that were formerly represented by Ntezirembo, Murekatete and Ndanyuzwe respectively.

In Musanze councillors will be elected from the sectors of Kimonyi and Cyunve, the former being previously represented by Karabayinga.

Also to be elected is the councillor of Rukira sector in Ngoma District that fell vacant last year after the resignation of Francis Bushayija.

Bushayija who is currently the coordinator of social development and territorial administration in Ngoma District also doubled as the president of the District Advisory Council (DAC).

Meanwhile, the by-elections to fill the vacant council post of Kimironko sector in Gasabo District following the resignation of its councillor and former district mayor, Claudine Nyinawagaga, are scheduled for July, according to NEC.

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