Kigali — The Civil Society Election Observation Mission (CSEOM) yesterday officially launched its National Election Observation Mission that will observe the forthcoming presidential elections slated for August 9.

Addressing the press at CSEOM offices in Kacyiru, the Chief Observer, Eugene Rwibasira, said: "This presidential campaign has come at a time when the Rwanda Civil Society Platform has the capacity to observe and monitor both local and national elections.

"It's in this context that we established an election observation mission for the upcoming presidential elections" he added.

Rwibasira said that the observer mission has deployed a core team of 15 observers, 30 long term observers and 500 short term observers who will be assessing the presidential elections countrywide.

He added that all the observers have already been accredited.

Rwibasira said that the main objective of CSEOM is to collect factual information concerning the election process, guided by the elements of the constitution and national electoral law.

He added that this will enable the mission to produce strategic analysis and report on the electoral processes. The mission will work hand in hand with the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and other relevant authorities.