At least 2,160 people yesterday took part in elections of village local councils in Musanze District in the first phase of the local elections which also involved voting for in women and youth representatives at cell levels.

At one of the polling sites in Nyamagumba Cell, voting was halted for some time after residents barred two people from contesting, saying they were not persons of integrity and had been named in corruption-related cases, while an election volunteer who also vied for a post was stopped by residents.

"We have elected people who are willing and capable of serving us, those who will attend to our issues. We advised people without integrity not to bother contesting, because we know everyone,’’ said Epimaque Sanvura, one of the elders in Muhoza Sector.

The electoral coordinator in Musanze, Justin Bigirimwami, said that the local council elections were competitive but peaceful.

‘’The elections were free and fair, there was huge turnout, because residents wanted to ensure only competent people took up the leadership positions. It was an opportunity to express freedom,” Birigirumwami said.

Most of those elected had been involved in various local services like mediation committees, Gacaca courts or land committees and proved to residents that they deserved to be elected and become a voice for the residents.

‘’I will encourage women to maintain hygiene and sanitation in their homes,” said Mary Kanyange, who was elected as the coordinator of Rukoro village.

"I will be visiting families in our village and we shall work as a team in promoting the programmes which the government has initiated”.

Ends