UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

Rwanda: Presidential Campaigns Begin

1 August 2003

Kigali — Presidential campaigns in Rwanda began officially on Friday with four candidates, among them a woman, vying for the top political position in the country, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) announced. The poll is scheduled for 25 August.

The commission issued a final list of presidential candidates on Thursday after the Supreme Court threw out cases filed by two contestants. The candidates are incumbent Paul Kagame, former Prime Minister Faustin Twagiramungu, Alivera Mukabaramba and Nepomuscene Nayinzira.

The commission also released a provisional voters' register. So far, 3.93 million people have registered within the country. NEC President Chrysologue Karangwa said that a complete list of the register would be released five days to the voting day.

Meanwhile, the European Union observer mission in Rwanda announced that it would field between 60 and 70 observers countrywide to monitor the poll.

NEC expects that close to 1,000 observers from different countries would be in the country to monitor the elections. Parliamentary elections are due on 29 September.

Tagged: Central Africa, East Africa, Rwanda

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