800 Rwandans in SA register for elections

JOHANNERSBURG - About 800 Rwandans living in Southern Africa have registered for Presidential Polls scheduled for August 9, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Kamali Karegyesa, confirmed on Friday. “The Rwandan Diaspora in Southern Africa is well prepared for the upcoming elections. We have sensitized them on how the Presidential elections will be carried out and the turn up has been good,” he said. “We have sent the returns to the Electoral Commission in Kigali and we are waiting for the final voters’ list and cards to be sent back to the embassy,” said Karegyesa. He further added that there has been an increase in the number of voters compared to the 2008 Parliamentary elections. “The numbers do fluctuate because most Rwandans based in South Africa are students and when they return back to Rwanda after their studies, the numbers reduce,” “But when we make a balance of those who have gone back and those who are here, we get an increase of close to 200 Rwandans,” Karegyesa added. Karegyesa also elaborated that the figures include Rwandans living in other countries such as Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, Botswana and Swaziland. “This figure covers the whole of the Southern African region, but when we breakdown the figures from each nation, South Africa leads with a big number of Rwandans who have registered for the Presidential polls,” said Karegyesa without giving the exact figures. According to Karegyesa, the Rwandan Diaspora will cast their votes at three polling stations which will be based in South Africa namely; Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. Those who have not yet registered for the upcoming elections have been given until the end of this month. Karegyesa also said that Rwandans are happy that the National Electoral Commission (NEC) has set August 8 for Rwandans in Diaspora to cast their votes. “It will fall on a Sunday and this will enable all Rwandans living in Southern Africa region to take part in the Presidential elections without any hindrance,” said Karegyesa. Over 20,000 voters from the Diaspora have confirmed their participation in the upcoming Presidential elections and there is a possibility that the number will increase since registration is yet to be concluded in many parts of the World. Ends