Our hero is cleared by NEC to contest

As highly expected by the fans, President Paul Kagame was among the four candidates cleared yesterday by the The National Electoral Commission to contest in the August 09 poll.

NEC has accepted Kagame’s application for the race after the RPF returned as its flag bearer to run for the second and final term as provided for by in the constitution.

For this term, President Kagame has pledged to put leadership in the hands of the people. It will strengthen further the integration of the youth, women, vulnerable groups and the civil society. He also promises to fortify the means of disseminating information and consolidate the country’s security and sovereignty.

He pledges to also bolster agriculture and animal husbandry; road and rail transport; telephone, Internet and other forms of communication and proper planning of towns.

Education will be accessible to all, while promoting science and technology. The president also intends to eradicate preventable diseases and expand benefits of health insurance while empowering the needy.

The other candidates are Senator Prosper Higiro, representing the Liberal Party (PL), Dr Jean Damascene Ntawakuriryayo of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) party, and the only female contestant Alvera Mukabaramba – in for the Party for Prosperity and Concord (PPC) party.

The Commission says the four applications are all they received and each one of them met the requirements in the law to contest the country’s presidency. The candidates have 20 days to campaign beginning July 20.

The Commission’s Executive Secretary Charles Munyaneza says the two weeks between now and when the campaigns officially begin are set aside for any complaints or issues that may arise and require the Commission to address and rectify accordingly.

Munyaneza adds that the Commission has secured the funding it requires to successfully run the elections. The total cost of running the elections is budgeted at 8.5 billion francs. The government has committed 7.48 billion francs or 83 per cent of the elections cost, while development partners have committed 1.3 billion francs. The shortfall is less than 100 million francs, Munyaneza says, which will not deter or affect the exercise in any significant way.

The Commission expects the number of eligible voters in this year’s election to be 5.2 million Rwandans, which is half of the estimated country’s population.

This will be the second presidential elections since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The first was held in 2003 and was won handily by Paul Kagame and his ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF).

Additional information from RNA

	Our hero is cleared by NEC to contest Ngaho bafana, it’s only a few days to the D-Day. Let’s all prepare to match to the countryside, city corners and take the campaign to the people. Intwari yacu tuzayitora. By Kamikazi on Thursday 8 July 2010.
	Our hero is cleared by NEC to contest Yes am ready. 20th July will find me on the road walking to the first campaign rally of my Hero By Kanakamama on Thursday 8 July 2010.
	Our hero is cleared by NEC to contest Oyeeeeeeeeeee, my Hero has passed through. Anyway, I never expected him to fail the clearance by NEC By Richard on Thursday 8 July 2010.
	Our hero is cleared by NEC to contest Azamemeza.... This time it will be 100%, and I don’t care whether those western nations refuse to admit it. By Jaccy on Thursday 8 July 2010.
	Our hero is cleared by NEC to contest We set standards in 2003, and this year will be a top up. By Falcon on Thursday 8 July 2010.
	Our hero is cleared by NEC to contest Now the race is on, reka tubatsinde. By Kanakamama on Thursday 8 July 2010.
	Our hero is cleared by NEC to contest Let the world know that we love, respect and honour our Hero as a charismatic and patriotic leader. By Gaga on Thursday 8 July 2010.
	Our hero is cleared by NEC to contest Dukeneye umuyoboyozi wubashwe, as is evidenced by President Kagame’s rich profile, awards and accolades. The Rwanda of today has no space for political junks. By Furaha on Thursday 8 July 2010.
	Our hero is cleared by NEC to contest It’s time to prove lousy critics and pessimists wrong. Our candidate has everything to win this race; a good leadership record and skills. By Kamikazi on Thursday 8 July 2010.
	Our hero is cleared by NEC to contest The dice is cast, the actual campaign date is just by the corner. By Kabano on Thursday 8 July 2010.
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