Voting ended early in most stations

Voting ended early at most polling stations during yesterday’s referendum vote. In the Eastern Province, most voters were already back at their businesses as early as 8am after casting their vote. “We were waiting for this day to come. I was here before 6am. Its 8am and now I am heading home. I am a happy man today,” said Felix Karekezi, a resident of Rwamagana District. Odette Uwamariya, Eastern Province Governor casts her vote in the referendum vote yesterday. (Stephen Rwembeho) Flavia Mukankusi, of Mukarange Sector in Kayonza District said it was a similar trend in her area. “Voters started voting very early in the morning…it shows that people knew what they were doing. The electorate owned the process, hence making it easier for everybody involved,” she said. Most of the polling stations were decorated in national colours of green and yellow and the voting rooms were also well carpeted. Kayonza town roundabout was fully decorated with the national flag colours. According to Frank Kayiranga, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) coordinator in Eastern Province, the voting went on smoothly before closing the polling stations at 3pm. In the Northern Province over a million voters were expected to vote. In separate interviews, voters said the exercise was long overdue. The road from Musanze town to Nyakinama was decorated with banana plants and flowers. Polling stations were equally decorated. At Nyamagumba polling station, long lines formed before voting time. A varsity student casts her vote during the referendum vote at UR Huye Campus. At most sites visited by The New Times, voters were welcomed by women drummers. “I was among the first ten people to vote. Business continues as usual,” said Adrien Nirere from Muhoza Sector.“The voting was free. I voted without any influence. We are eagerly waiting for the results and I am optimistic they will be in favour of the wishes of many”. Bernadette Ntamukunzi said she was among those who petitioned parliament to amend the Constitution. “I am happy that I have exercised my civic rights. I am also grateful that my petition did not fall on deaf ears. We want to maintain good leaders who have helped us achieve a lot in social economic development,” said Ntamukunzi. “President Kagame built the country from scratch, established unity and reconciliation after the 1994 Genocide. He is a leader Rwandans would not risk losing as we are enjoying the gains from his good leadership,” Ntamukunzi added. Jean de Dieu Rutatika, the election coordinator in the Northern Province said by 2pm voters had completed casting their votes, but election volunteers were waiting for the late comers. Meanwhile, in the Southern Province, voters including students said the referendum was their constitutional right to decide on laws and leaders of their choice. A varsity student casts his vote during yesterday’s referendum vote in the early morning hours at UR Huye Campus (Photos by Emmanuel Ntirenganya) Jean Marie Vianney Mwizerwa, from Huye District voted from Gashikiri Primary School Polling Station. He said he was motivated to vote because he wanted President Kagame to continue to lead the country to maintain the development momentum. “The constitution amendment pleased me. The President leads us well. He availed us with infrastructure such as roads, ensured security and promoted people’s welfare through Girinka (One Cow per Poor Family) among other things,” he said. “Voting on the constitutional amendment means freedom to choose a leader of one’s choice.” Philbert Karanganwa, a fourth year student in accountancy at University of Rwanda Huye Campus said: “His policies increased access to education. Before it was difficult for many people to study but now everyone has access to education, except one who does not want it.” “Leadership is about people, we are the ones with power to choose our leadership. We have to use that power to choose capable leaders when we come to vote,” he noted. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Voting ended early in most stations