NEC should be aid free – Karangwa

Self reliance:89% of the body’s budget is currently funded by gov’tThe National Electoral Commission (NEC) must be funded 100 percent by the government in order to attain self reliance and avoid being influenced by donors.The call was made yesterday by Chrysologue Karangwa, NEC’s president, during a press conference.89 percent of the body’s budget is currently funded by government and although the figure is impressive, Karangwa believes that total self reliance is very important.NEC activities are mostly executed by over 650 volunteers at the grassroots level.“Since its inception in 2001, NEC’s budget was largely funded by donors, but their contribution started to wane over time. I hope that even the 11 percent that is still funded by donors vanishes. This can be achieved if Rwandans understand the need for self sustenance,” Karangwa said.“We must understand that the needs of the public are more important than the needs of donors; therefore, in order to implement and protect a democracy owned by Rwandans, we must fight against stereotypical democracies imposed on us by donors”.In order to sensitize the public about voting procedures, NEC will begin a three-day sensitization program dubbed “open day”, where officials will meet with the public to debate policies, voting procedures as well as the achievements and challenges faced by the body.“Starting Tuesday next week, we shall begin sessions with the public and tell them about our operations, with the objective to help them fully understand democratic processes and how far we have come,” said Charles Munyaneza, Executive Secretary of NEC. Since February, the body has been conducting by-elections of local leaders as well as representatives of special groups like people with disabilities, youth and women, who failed to complete their mandates after being elected into power.NEC set aside Rwf200 million for the exercise.Munyaneza pointed out that some of the leaders elected in 2011 simply disappeared without notice, whereas others shifted from their community and could not serve any more, some died and others resigned.“The exercise began in February and will end this month; we are working with concerned ministries to sensitize the relevant communities and ensure that the process is smooth,” he said.The number of current vacant leadership posts is 10,942, 2 percent of the total public posts vied for in the country.