Final voter’s register update begins this week

The final update of the national voter’s register ahead of the August presidential polls is slated for tomorrow. The exercise is aimed at giving last chance to those who haven’t yet registered to appear on the voter’s list come August 9.

Sunday, June 13, 2010
COMMENTED; Charles Munyaneza (File photo)

The final update of the national voter’s register ahead of the August presidential polls is slated for tomorrow.
The exercise is aimed at giving last chance to those who haven’t yet registered to appear on the voter’s list come August 9.

This exercise, unlike the previous ones, will be conducted on a door-to-door basis, especially in urban areas.

Speaking to The New Times, the Executive Secretary of the Electoral Commission Charles Munyaneza said that the volunteers to undertake the exercise have been allocated around the country and will be operating on the cell level.

"We expect the fifteen day exercise to be successful since we currently have few people who are not registered.

There is about 5.2 million voters on the register and we expect an addition of about 300,000 voters to be added,” said Munyaneza adding that many among these are those who have just turned eighteen.

Munyaneza however, called upon people to turn up for the exercise, especially those who haven’t taken photos. The voter’s register will bear a photo of the voter.

According to NEC, voters who lost their cards will also be given replacements during this period which ends on June 30. Munyaneza also called upon people to register for the national ID during the period since the exercises are running simultaneously.

"No one will be able to vote if their photo does not appear on the register, so I appeal, to everyone to register so that they don’t miss voting because it is a fundamental right for every Rwandan to vote,” he said.

Ends