Jeanne d’Arc Nyinawase, an employee of the national water and power utility, RECO-RWASCO , has been declared winner  of the by-elections held last week for the woman MP’s seat in the Western Province.

She won with an overwhelming majority of 883 out of 1046 votes (84.41%) to beat six other contestants. She becomes the seventh woman Member of Parliament in the region, following the resignation of Solange Tuyisenge, early this year.

Jeanne Henriette Mukabikino emerged second with 6.7% while Bellancille Umurungi and Clotilde Mukamana were third and fourth with 2.58% and 2.38% respectively.

Two other contestants; Alice Murekatete and Celine Mukayisenga, each received 1.62% of the votes and as Donatile Bakuriyehe only managed to garner 0.57%, according to the official results that were made public yesterday by the National Electoral Commission (NEC).

In a telephone interview, NEC’s Executive Secretary, Charles Munyaneza,said that the official results had been confirmed.

"The final results are ready and we have even sent a report to Parliament for confirmation of the new MP,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nyinawase could not believe her ears when The New Times broke the news to her.

"I am very happy and privileged to get enormous support from people in the Western Province, and I promise my full commitment to achieve the set
targets.”

Nyinawase has been the Head of Customer Care at RECO-RWASCO, Gicumbi branch.

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