Rights body says Rwanda’s 2024 general elections were inclusive, safe and secure

Based on its observation, the National Commission for Human Rights has said that rights of voters, candidates, media, and poll observers, among others, were generally respected during the July 14-16 presidential and parliamentary elections. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s 2024 general elections in eyes of civil society observers Providence Umurungi, the chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights, said that observers commended the deployment of sign language interpreters during electoral campaigns in different sites. “The elections were inclusive for people with disabilities. We also observed Braille ballot papers in all polling stations to facilitate visually impaired voters,” she said. The government, through the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), completed the production of a comprehensive Rwandan Sign Language Dictionary (RSLD). ALSO READ: Persons with visual impairment welcome use of braille ballot paper For people who do not know how to use Braille, the National Electoral Commission permitted the use of children aged 14 to 18 to assist them in voting, Umurungi said, noting that other vulnerable categories of voters were also taken into account. “Most of the hospitals had polling stations to facilitate patients, hospital staff and caregivers. This is very important in terms of human rights respect. During election days, voters such as expectant and breastfeeding mothers, and the elderly, were catered for and facilitated to vote before others,” she said. ALSO READ: How patients in hospitals were facilitated to vote The National Commission for Human Rights commended NEC for facilitating voters who, on polling day, struggled with the voters' registration system while trying to change their voting location. “Such people were put on annexes of the main voters' list to be able to exercise their voting rights.” The observers, she noted, also identified emergency response activities including the supply of drinking clean water at campaign sites. The rights commission also praised the media for equitable and fair coverage of candidates' campaigns and elections. The impartial coverage ensured that voters had access to diverse political perspectives and campaign messages. “No candidate was prevented from campaigning. All candidates were given equal opportunities in their campaigning activities. The elections were successful and peacefully held in general. We observed safety and security as all sites were safe and secured. The same big turnout during campaigns was also observed on election days. This is unique because in some countries only 40 per cent of people with voting age turn up to vote,” she noted. The rights commission’s observers also noted the high participation of youth in elections preparations and voting. Rwanda Civil Society Platform (RCSP) also deployed 290 election observers countrywide for the July 14-16 presidential and parliamentary elections. The civil society statement which The New Times has seen echoes most of the human rights commission’s findings during elections. However, it recommended that the National Electoral Commission enhance its voter list management processes by leveraging technology. “NEC should strengthen a user-friendly online portal where citizens can verify and update their registration information well in advance of election day. These measures would significantly reduce the number of voters who face difficulties on election day, ensuring a smoother voting process and enhancing overall electoral integrity,” reads part of the recommendations. It also recommended particular emphasis on educating voters about the importance of verifying their registration status before election day. Additionally, the civil society group recommended that the consistent availability of tactile ballot guides for visually impaired voters should be ensured across all polling stations. “Given the logistical challenges posed by the 22-day campaign period, we propose that the relevant authorities consider extending the campaign period beyond 22 days to 35 days in future elections. A longer campaign period would allow candidates to cover all districts more effectively, potentially reducing the need to merge districts for campaign purposes.” As noted, this extension would provide voters more opportunities to engage with candidates and their platforms, contributing to a more informed electorate and a richer democratic discourse.

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Rights body says Rwanda’s 2024 general elections were inclusive, safe and secure