Over 17,000 Rwandans living in the Diaspora have so far registered to take part in the 2010 Presidential elections slated for August, and the number is expected to increase as the registration process continues.

This was revealed yesterday by Charles Munyaneza, the Executive Secretary of the National Electoral Commission in an interview with The New Times.

"So far Rwandans in the Diaspora registered for August Presidential elections have increased in number compared to 2003 because of the massive sensitization campaign we carried out in several countries in the world,” he said.

16,000 participated in the last Presidential polls in 2003, and Munyaneza said that this year they are expected to exceed the current figure, saying that sensitization has not been carried out in countries that have a large concentration of Rwandans.

"Sensitization and registration has not been carried out in countries like India, USA and Canada, which have large numbers of Rwandans,” said Munyaneza adding that officials from the electoral body would soon go to these countries.

Munyaneza stressed that by way of preparing for the presidential election scheduled for August 9, NEC will continue the sensitization campaigns to encourage Rwandans, both within and outside the country, to turn up in large numbers.

He underscored that according to the electoral calendar, NEC will, on July 7, announce the final list of candidates who will contest for the presidential seat while prospective candidates will be tendering in their candidatures from June 24 to July 2.

Currently the commission is compiling voters’ lists; the final list will be announced on July 23.

Ends