300 attend civic education training

The National Electoral Commission (NEC), yesterday, launched training for over 300 election volunteers in the Northern and Eastern provinces ahead of the forthcoming grassroots elections. In Musanze District, over 150 volunteers, including election coordinators from the north, attended the training. Anne Marie Nyiracumi, a member of NEC, said the training was organized to equip electoral officials with knowledge on proper handling of the electoral process. The volunteers were called upon to participate in preparing polling sites, and mobilize residents to go and confirm their availability on the updated voters list. NEC officials also called upon interested candidates who want to vie for various posts within the local government to submit their candidatures. ‘We are still waiting for candidates, especially for district and sector advisory council committees, the national youth council, and women councils. People should not wait until the last minute,’’ Nyiracumi advised. The electoral volunteers were urged to stick to the guidelines and regulations of the electoral process, and not agree to be influenced by politicians or others. Meanwhile, in Rwamagana District, the training was attended by over 180 participants from the entire Eastern Province. Theoneste Gisagara, the NEC legal officer, said that the training was meant to highlight the election procedures in order to avoid unnecessary irregularities during campaigns and elections. “It is important that we update ourselves with election processes, to keep at par with rules and regulations that guide our elections, particularly the grassroots ones. “It is our duty to prepare and organise the elections”- the dos and don’ts of the election process must be adhered to. The election volunteers are of course well informed, but need such refresher courses,” he said. Ends