65 percent of voters’ cards distributed

KIGALI - With less than 24 hours remaining to the first round of local government elections, the National Electoral Commission (NEC), has confirmed that at least 65 percent of the voters’ cards have so far been distributed countrywide. This was revealed by the commission’s Executive Secretary, Charles Munyaneza, yesterday during a phone interview on the Commission’s preparedness for the elections, scheduled to commence on Friday February 4. According to Munyaneza, the distribution exercise was still ongoing and that the first phase of elections due to take place on February 4 at “Umudugudu” level would not be constrained by late distribution because voters’ cards will not be applicable on the day. “The cards will be required on the February 21 polls and we are hoping to have fully accomplished the distribution,” explained Munyaneza. The February 21 election will be at sector level where the electorate will be voting for the advisory council.He also revealed that so far, 5.4 million voters have been registered and the commission would declare the last voters’ list on Thursday. The Executive Secretary further disclosed that 2,500 polling centres would be used for the February 4 elections whereas a total of 15,000 polling stations would be employed for the February 21 poll. Meanwhile, Munyaneza revealed that about 65,000 polling officials had been assigned to monitor and oversee the elections throughout the country. “They previously worked with NEC and have played part in previous elections, it is usually the same group that we normally recruit and take through short refresher trainings from which best performers are selected,” Munyaneza said. Ends