Rwamagana - The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has awarded the Cup of Excellence to the Eastern Province, after it emerged the best in the recently held Presidential elections. NEC considered various criteria including voter turnout.

Addressing local leaders and electoral agents from the Eastern Province, NEC Chairman, Prof. Chrisologue Karangwa, thanked all who participated in the elections for the work.

"Every Rwandan now, knows it is his or her right to elect a leader…civic and voter education has gone well. The turnout was generally excellent; the competition culture, too was an added advantage,” he said.

Karangwa added that it was difficult to decide a winner in the Province, because all districts performed well, with the tallies very close.

The Governor of Eastern Province, Dr. Ephraim Kabaija, reiterated the importance of making the right choice in elections.

He said that participating in elections in a mature way is very important, but more so, when it reflects a choice of a good leader.

Fatu Harerimana the Vice Chairperson of NEC, said that the province qualified for the award, after excelling in all areas, according to the standards set by NEC.

"The strength of enthusiasm for and engagement with the democratic process exhibited in the Province is vital to sustaining a healthy democracy,” she said.

Residents of the province donated a Friesian cow to the Chairman of NEC in recognition for the good work he did in organizing the elections.

Ends