KIGALI - The National Electoral Commission (NEC), has commended voters for turning out in large numbers to vote in the first round of local government elections that were held, countrywide.

This was expressed by the NEC Chairman, Prof Chrisologue Karangwa, during a press conference at the commission’s headquarters.

According to Karangwa, the early analysis by the commission indicated that more than 95 percent of eligible voters countrywide participated in electing their leaders and representatives at both village and cell levels.

"We are pleased with this number and we take it as an indication of political maturity among Rwandans,” he said, adding that it was the first time such a number had been registered in local government elections.

Pointing out the number of voters who turned up for the polls, Karangwa said that the youth formed the majority, constituting about 62 percent of the voters.

He added that in total, 74,190 local leaders were elected in yesterday’s elections from the 14,838 villages countrywide.

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