A candidate in grassroots elections at Nyarubuye polling station, Kabarore Sector in Gatsibo District, ran away from the polling station after spotting Police. Emmanuel Mazimpaka had on Monday been nominated by a village mate to contest for the post of village chairperson and had started to rally voters for his re-election. He had arrived late at the polling station after being nominated in absentia. However, on his arrival instead of applause Mazimpaka received jeers and boos from elements in the crowd who accused him of being rude. They also accused him of having assaulted a resident last year. He tried to explain but the voices heckling him grew even louder. It also emerged that Mazimpaka had eluded Police summons since September last year over the alleged assault case. But more drama ensued when a police officer arrived at the polling station on a motorcycle. Mazimpaka abandoned the campaigns and vanished. Charles Turatsinze, an election coordinator of Nyarubuye polling station, said the elections went ahead smoothly. Donat Mbabajende, Mazimpaka’s alleged victim is a cobbler at Karenge Village, where Mazimpaka is the outgoing chairman. He said he had gone to demand for his payment for mending Mazimpaka’s shoes when the latter beat him up. “I took his shoes after mending them and left them with the house-maid because Mazimpaka wasn’t at home. The following day when I went to demand payment, he instead beat me up,” he said. Police confirmed that Mbabajende reported the matter and that the suspect has a case of assault to answer.Judith Uwanziga, a resident, said they were happy to vote out the old chairperson. More than 95 per cent of eligible voters across the country participated in Monday’s grassroots polls, according to the National Electoral Commission. A total of more than 76,000 local leaders were elected in all the country’s 14,837 villages (imidugudu), including members of village councils and women and youth leaders. Also elected were some cell councilors as well as members of the executive committees for persons with disabilities at the cell level. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
