Whereas there is little visible excitement at the moment, some people have been hit by the election bug. Mark Kabiliigi, 30, a shopkeeper in down town Kigali says that he will definitely be voting come the elections next month. “I believe these elections are aimed at giving us our right to be represented in the decision making process,” he explains. He is positive that many people will be involved in this election process if one goes by the enthusiasm they have displayed in collecting voters cards and the pride some show after receiving their cards. Kabiliigi says that the nature of holding elections in Rwanda has helped bring about unity and reconciliation in the country. He asserts that by having a national constituency, unnecessary divisionism is avoided and that helps to create what he terms as “oneness”. “We are a family and should always be one and not be divided up in village constituencies.” He asserts that the history of Rwanda has ensured that the country adopts a unique electoral process that seeks to accommodate everyone. From his perspective, the nature of electing people in the country ensures that everybody is accommodated. This he believes negates the ‘winner takes all’ situation which excludes some in the decision making process. Indeed a number of people in the groups that would be characterised as disadvantaged find the system beneficial. Mary Kobusingye is a businesswoman. She says issues of equality and rights have always been close to her heart. Kobusingye says that by having 24 special women representatives in the Chamber of Deputies, the women of Rwanda have been empowered in a way that is not witnessed in many other countries. Indeed, people visiting the country always recognise this unique achievement. Canadian Senator Raynell Andreyechuck visiting the country as part of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, said that the many women representatives in the legislature was a sign that women are at the forefront of decision making in the country. She said at the time, “You have achieved a level of women representation in parliament that we in Canada have not yet achieved.” Ends
