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KIGALI, Rwanda | Xinhua | International election observers on Wednesday praised Rwanda for maintaining a “peaceful electoral environment” and meticulous management during the recently concluded general elections.
In a joint statement read during a press conference in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, the observers, representing organizations such as the East African Community (EAC), the African Union (AU), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Economic Community of Central African States, commended the electoral process.
Having interacted with key stakeholders and observed the campaigning, voting, counting, and tallying, the observers noted that “the electoral, political and security environment in the Republic of Rwanda before, during and immediately after the elections has been calm and peaceful.”
They also acknowledged the diligent work of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Rwanda and other institutions responsible for managing the electoral process in accordance with the electoral calendar, said the statement.
“The electoral process was conducted in a calm and peaceful environment that enabled the candidates to campaign freely,” said David Maraga, Kenya’s former chief justice and head of the EAC Election Observation Mission, at the press conference.
Jorge Carlos de Almeida Fonseca, former president of Cape Verde and head of the joint AU-COMESA Election Observation Mission to Rwanda, commended Rwanda for self-financing its elections, using cost-effective equipment, and establishing polling stations in places such as hospitals.
Fonseca also observed that priority was given to persons with disabilities, the elderly, and expectant and nursing mothers during the voting process.
“All the polling stations visited had sufficient security personnel whose conduct was professional and non-obstructive,” he added.
Fonseca hailed the Rwandan culture of celebrating elections and voting as “a patriotic duty through associating the process with national colors, culture, and music to promote tolerance and cohesion.”
The NEC on Tuesday announced partial results of the presidential elections in which Rwandan incumbent President Paul Kagame of the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front led Monday’s presidential election with 99.15 percent of the vote against Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, who received 0.53 percent and 0.32 percent, respectively.
According to the NEC, partial results were based on 79.84 percent of the votes tallied, with provisional and final results expected by July 20 and 27, respectively. Voter turnout was reported at 98 percent, with more than 9 million Rwandans participating in the elections. ■
