The voting atmosphere as Rwandans voted in the Constitution referendum was highlighted by entertainment as music played from public systems erected at various polling stations. The voting was celebrated with people urging others to go and vote while ladies dressed in the traditional Umushanana attire were stationed at the entrances of polling stations to welcome voters. “Some voters danced to traditional and patriotic songs to signal their will to participate in the referendum. Polling stations played sweet melodies of yester-year songs that brought back memories of where we have come from and what we have to do to continue going ahead,” said Ahmed Musafiri, a voter. People were already anticipating a victory of over 90% even before voting ended. “This is an expression of people’s support and profound trust in President Paul Kagame because they still want his leadership,” said Athanasia Mukashema, another voter. As per the rules laid down by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) dancing and jubilating at polling stations or in the streets is not allowed until the final results are announced. However, by 5:00pm people were already dancing in various bars as they waited for the tallying of results to begin. Although the town was generally quiet, men and women gathered in separate groups in bars, restaurants and homes while drinking and enjoying as they awaited the final results from the referendum. Outside polling stations, the queues burst into clapping and ululations as people came out displaying their thumbs after voting. I asked one man to translate the words in the local language, Yego and Oya, written on the voting slip. “It says Yes or No” respectively”, he replied. However, he explained that the actual meaning is more than just ‘yes or no,’ it goes beyond expressing what Rwandans want as a nation. All the procedures of the referendum, with international observers, is an indication that we are transparent and everything goes through the Rwandan people. The majority of people believed it was difficult to find anyone voting against the referendum. “Through this election we will fully display the might of the unity of our people who are firmly united behind our President, and we shall ask him to stay so that we can achieve a prosperous Rwanda,” said Berchmans Habumukiza, a voter. By press time, results were being tallied but news coming in from various parts of the country indicated that most people were jubilating as they waited for the final results. Since people were at the polling stations early in the morning, by 3pm, most polling stations had completed the process awaiting officials from NEC to start the tallying process. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
