NEC targets local leaders in civic education drive

RWAMAGANA- The National Electoral Commission has launched a civic education training programme targeting local leaders in Eastern Province. District leaders in charge of good governance, education, youth and the handicapped participated in a two day training workshop along NEC zone leaders, which ended yesterday. Frank Rwigamba Kayiranga, the NEC coordinator in the province said that the training aimed at equipping local leaders and election agents with prerequisite knowledge about elections management. He said that civic education should not wait for the electoral period, adding that capacity building efforts in the field must be continuous. “Civic education helps stakeholders learn more about their rights in a democratic society. Election officials, just like the electorate, have a mutual responsibility to exercise such rights,” he noted. Kayiranga added that participants were expected to sensitise the electorate to always cast their votes during elections. “The commission wants to reiterate that any single vote rejected is a sovereign will misapplied and a lost opportunity to influence national decision. We want this kind of impact to be understood,” he underlined. Paul Rwangarinde, a NEC official from Rwamagana District, said that the training was essential, particularly among the new entrants. He noted that electoral officials needed close collaboration with local leaders to streamline election procedures. “Teaching and learning is a process...no one should live with deception that he or she has acquired enough skills. I have been working for NEC for some time now, but each training comes with new ideas and approach that I greatly need,” he said. Ends