Civic education improved election awareness – report

Voters’ participation in the electoral process has significantly improved over time due to civic education efforts by the National Electoral Commission, a survey on the impact of civic education training has indicated. The survey entitled; ‘the role of voters’ civic education towards improving general voters’ participation in electoral proceedings’ was commissioned by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and executed by Consultants for Effective for Training (CET) Rwanda. It says voter turnout has been improving gradually due to civic education since 2003. The 2003 parliamentary elections registered a 93.4 per cent voter turnout while the 2008 and 2013 elections attracted 98.5 and 98.8 per cent turnout, respectively. Up to 96.5 and 97.5 per cent turned up for the 2003 and 2010 presidential elections, respectively. “Subsequent elections have since seen the turnout grow even higher, making the 2003 rates, the least percentage turnout since NEC came into office,” the report read. Prof. Kalisa Mbanda, the NEC chairperson, told The New Times that about 98 per cent of the total voting population are aware of the voting eligibilities. “More Rwandans are aware of their voting rights. We only have two per cent of voting citizens who do not know the requirements for voting,” Mbanda said, adding that the number will gradually drop further. According to the report, 71 per cent of voting population could mention what qualifies one to register and vote in Rwanda. About 28 per cent could mention a few basics of voting eligibilities, while 2 per cent did not know what qualifies one to be a voter. All Rwandans of 18 years and above are eligible to vote. The National Electoral Commission has, since 2001, conducted general civic education and managed elections in Rwanda. This was implemented to guide NEC’s activities in line with its mandate and the objectives. The election civic training has focused on the importance of voting and how to vote. “The training helps sensitise the public about the importance of voting for good leaders, based on reason, rationality and the candidate’s capacity rather than inducement or any other considerations,” Mbanda said. The civic training has also compelled candidates to advance national interests during campaigns as opposed to individual motives. Mbanda stated that the result of the programme was to ensure that the elected leaders know what the voters expect of them and the voters make the right demands on the leaders they elect. NEC is seeking to strengthen electoral awareness in preparation for future elections as well as consolidating voter turnout. “The purpose of national civic education is to help Rwandans understand the history of their country, their rights and responsibilities, to focus on good governance and community development, as well as social reforms,” Mbanda said. Rwanda will be voting local leaders in 2016 while presidential elections will be held in 2017. Parliamentary elections will be held in 2018 and Senatorial elections in 2019. The report further suggests that the use of civic trainees as volunteers in the electoral process has minimised the cost of financing elections to $1.2 (about Rwf816) per voter. The spirit of volunteerism has made Rwanda’s electoral process the most affordable in the region. In Kenya, its $16 (about Rwf10,800) while in Uganda’s its $4 (about Rwf2700) per voter, the report shows.