KAYONZA/RWAMAGANA - The National Electoral Commission (NEC) yesterday, kicked off preparations for the forthcoming local leaders elections.

The elections for village leaders, Cell, Sector Executive Secretaries and districts’ Executive Committee are expected to take place between February and March 2011.
Frank Kayiranga Rwigamba, the coordinator of NEC in the province, appealed to local leaders and the electorate to be prepared.

"Voters need to be sensitised about the elections,” he said.
"Village (Mudugudu) leaders, Cell and sector executive secretaries, mayors and their deputies will all be elected. This is not a simple process.”

Anastase Barinda, the Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Affairs, stressed the need for civic education for people to vote based on informed decisions.

"The electorate should be able to know potential candidates who will deliver. We have no room for failures. Aspiring candidates too, must know how to go about it,” he said.

John Kayiranga, a resident of Mukarange Sector in Kayonza District said that the preparations have been long overdue.
"The earlier the better, as far any elections are concerned. Some people have lost IDs, while others are out of touch.

The sensitisation process is indeed in time,” he said.
NEC is waiting for the approval of the final calendar of the election by the cabinet.

Ends