MUHANGA - Over 1.2million residents of the Southern Province are expected to participate in the August 9 presidential polls, a NEC official revealed yesterday. 

Speaking to The New Times, Jean d’ Dieu Rutatika, the NEC provincial commissioner, said women make up the largest percentage of voters with 56.7%.

He said that preparations have been successful, and the 551 polling stations in the southern province with 3,653 voting rooms are ready for the national event.

"During the monthly communal work (Umuganda), residents prepared the sites and cleaned up roads leading to the polling centres. The voting exercise is in full gear since most of the residents have their voting requirements,” Rutatika said.

He commended the political parties for the good conduct during the ongoing campaigns and rallies, urging residents to maintain peace and security on Election Day. 

"Elections in Rwanda should be conducted in peace and this will set an example to other countries. The voting day should be a day of celebrating the achievements of democratic rule and good governance in Rwanda,” he said. 

The NEC official also called on residents to keep time and participate in big numbers on polling day.  

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