KIGALI - THE National Electoral Commission (NEC) has started preparations for local government elections slated for early next year.

Charles Munyaneza, the NEC Executive Secretary, told The New Times on Friday that among other things, the procurement of elections equipment was underway.
Over five million Rwandans were eligible to vote in the August 9, presidential elections.

"Next month we will start updating the voters’ register, based on the one we used in the presidential elections. Preparations now involve programmes for civic and voter education,” said Munyaneza.

"We have also submitted the election calendar to the minister of local government who will take it to cabinet for approval”.

The local government elections will run from February to March. After the local government elections, Rwandans will also head into the Senatorial elections scheduled for October 2011.

Election observers generally noted that the recent presidential elections were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere where candidates enjoyed freedom of movement and assembly. Universal suffrage was provided for, there was a very high voter turnout and the process was well administered by the NEC.

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