MUHANGA - The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has urged local leaders to start mobilising and educating residents on the importance of participating in the forthcoming presidential elections.

The NEC Executive Secretary, Charles Munyaneza, made the call on Wednesday during a consultative meeting with local leaders from Muhanga, Kamonyi and Ngororero districts, held at the Gitarama cultural centre. Munyaneza said that local leaders have a very important role of preparing residents for the presidential elections.

"Successful elections are a sign of good governance, and in order to attain this, each leader must educate the electorate for the purposes of enabling the country to witness a peaceful, free and fair election,” he said.

Along with such efforts local leaders were also asked to ensure that the  voter’s list is updated and the voting exercise done on time.

However, Munyaneza  cautioned local leaders to desist from interfering with the election process.

"Do your job of educating and mobilising residents and leave the voting process to the commission, so as to avoid any kind of complaints during the elections,” Munyaneza said.

Local leaders raised concerns regarding many residents who have up to now not acquired their national identification cards. The participants also stressed the need to reach out and educate a section of residents who shun government programs.

The provincial electoral commissioner, Jean de Dieu Rutatika, said that such cases should be given immediate attention and addressed ahead of the August polls.

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