Rwandans vote in constitutional referendum

The constitutional referendum has ended smoothly across the country with about 95 percent of the 6.4 million citizens expected to have cast their votes, and the counting of votes has started, officials at the National Electoral Commission (NEC) have said. “Voting was held in a calm atmosphere countrywide and the turn-up was high,” said Moses Bukasa, the Director of Communications at NEC. More than 70,000 electoral volunteers across the country guided citizens in the voting process at about 2800 polling sites in a vote that may allow President Paul Kagame to seek re-election when his term expires in 2017. The New Times observed that voters at different polling stations started lining up for the poll early in the morning as they waited to cast their vote to approve or dismiss the 2015 revised Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda. Voters search for their election cards at Sainte Famille polling station in Kigali. (Faustin Niyigena) The revised supreme law of the country reduces presidential term limits from seven to five years renewable only once. But the change will be preceded by one transitional presidential term of seven years for which any presidential candidates, including President Kagame – should he choose to run – will be eligible. Parliament has said the change was done in respect to people’s request to safeguard progress made and building a strong foundation for the country’s stability. More than 3.7 million Rwandans (59 per cent of eligible voters) had petitioned the House to review the law to allow President Kagame to continue his stewardship of the country beyond 2017. While interacting with journalists shortly after casting his vote at APE-Rugunga polling station in Kigali, President Kagame said the referendum was the choice of Rwandans who have the right to determine their future. “What is happening is people’s choice,” he said, adding that Rwandans “have their future in their own hands.” President Kagame was accompanied by First Lady Jeannette Kagame and his daughter Ange Kagame. A few other changes were also made in the Constitution, including the reduction of Senators’ term in office from eight years non-renewable to five years renewable once, except for senators who are former Heads of State as they are not subject to term limits. The term of office for the President and the Deputy President of the Supreme Court was also reduced to five years renewable once instead of eight years non-renewable. NEC officials said preliminary results from today’s referendum will be announced tonight. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Rwandans vote in constitutional referendum