RWAMAGANA - Local leaders should ensure mass turn out of voters in the August presidential polls, an official of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) said on Wednesday.

Fatu Harerimana, the vice chairperson of NEC, was in Rwamagana district where she met provincial and district leaders.

The one-day meeting was meant to streamline preparations for the forthcoming vote.

Harerimana said there is need to prepare polling sites and secure places where ballot boxes would be kept.

"We shall bring ballot boxes and some other materials near polling stations, well in advance. So, their security must be ensured by concerned authorities,” she said.

Gorethe Dusabe, a NEC commissioner, urged the leaders to be non-partisan during the campaigns and elections. She asked the leaders to allow all political parties and presidential candidates equal opportunities to campaign, hang posters and use public media as the electoral law stipulates.

"As leaders you should be able to provide an environment favourable for all candidates. It is again partly your duty, to see that no one breaches the law,” she said.

Dr. Ephraim Kabaija, the Governor of Eastern Province, told the mayors and security officers present, to watch the campaigns closely and continue sensitising residents on elections.

He castigated some religious sects dissuading residents from participating in elections.

Election campaigns will start on July 22 to August 8, a day before the election.

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