KARONGI – An employee of the national water and power utility, RECO-RWASCO, is widely tipped to beat six other contestants to become the seventh woman Memberof Parliament from the Western Province. Jeanne d’Arc Nyinawase is expected to sweep most votes from the by-elections, held last Friday, following the resignation of Solange Tuyisenge earlythis year. With the official outcome expected tomorrow, provisional results in most of the districts have put Nyinawase ahead of her six opponents. The other candidates are Clotilde Mukamana, Jeanne Henriette Mukabikino, Alice Murekatete, Bellancille Umurungi, Mukayisenga Celine and Donatile Bakuriyehe. The Sunday Times, yesterday, confirmed that Nyinawase scooped 457votes out of close to 600 (over 75%) who voted in Karongi, Ngororero, Nyamasheke and Rutsirodistricts. She was said to be leading in the remaining three districts as well though statistics were not yet available by press time. Most of her supporters who talked to The Sunday Times, yesterday, observed that Nyinawase deserved to win because she is a ‘very hard working woman’. “We clearly support her because she has the command and ability to bring about change and transformation to benefit the local population,” Zephany Nsengumuremyi said. Efforts to reach Nyinawase were futile as her cell phone was switched off by press time, while repeated calls to the National Electoral Commission boss, Chrysologue Karangwa, went unanswered. Ends
