Political party forum hails constitutional referendum, urges NEC to fix mishaps

The National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO) has hailed the peaceful atmosphere in which last month’s constitutional referendum poll was held. The Forum was yesterday examining a report on the referendum from its team of observers that closely followed the December 18 poll. Members of political parties during the meeting yesterday. “The General Assembly (of the Forum) noted that the referendum was well organised and conducted,” a statement released after the meeting and signed by NFPO executive-secretary Oswald Burasanzwe reads in part. “The turnout was impressive and the poll was conducted in a free and fair environment.” However, during the meeting, some NFPO leaders also noted that, in some cases, as highlighted by the Forum’s electoral observers, the poll did not allow full participation of some sections of voters, such as the disabled, owing to the inaccessibility of some polling stations. Members of political parties during the meeting yesterday. “We are proud that the referendum poll was peaceful across the country. However, our observers highlighted some issues that impeded full participation,” said Veneranda Nyirahirwa, the spokesperson of the forumAccording to the Forum’s observer team, some polling stations were not easily accessible for some people with disabilities, while some polling staff barred people without voter’s card to vote yet their names were on the register. “We call on the National Electoral Commission to make the necessary adjustments to avoid such issues in the future, starting with the upcoming local government elections,” Nyirahirwa said. Elections for grassroots leaders countrywide are expected to commence on February 2, 2016 by electing village committees while district mayors will be elected on February 27. Members of political parties follow the meeting yesterday. (Photos by Timothy Kisambira) Other issues highlighted by the Forum’s observer team include inadequate polling rooms and insufficient ballot papers observed at some polling stations during the referendum poll, in which more than 98 per cent of voters backed the revised constitution. The new constitution paves the way for President Paul Kagame to seek reelection next year. The Forum pledged to provide more observers ahead of the elections for local government leaders. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

News

Political party forum hails constitutional referendum, urges NEC to fix mishaps