The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has launched training for polling officials in preparation for next year’s presidential election. The training, dubbed “Responsibility of polling staff,” has seen electoral officials told to keep in mind their responsibilities and ethical behaviors during polls. The NEC executive secretary, Charles Munyaneza, said the training is part of preparations for the next presidential election scheduled for August. “It is important for us to prepare the population for these elections because we find it necessary that they know why they have to come out and vote, what value is in their vote and how they can vote,” said Munyaneza. He said preparations can only be successful if the electoral officials are also reminded of what they ought to do as leaders. More than 60 representatives from civil society organisations, national councils for youth, women and the disabled persons, partners and electoral-shareholders attended the launch of the training in Remera, Kigali, yesterday. The trainees were grouped differently and will work with similar groups at the district and sector levels to conduct civic education to realise peaceful and successful elections come 2017. During the training, members were urged to uphold rules and regulations governing presidential elections. They are expected to train others and sensitise voters on the electoral process. Stakeholders were also called upon to play their roles in the coming elections so as to be a success as a way to promote good governance. The electoral commission will monitor and evaluate the training sessions at all levels and provide the necessary equipment and materials. About 6.6 million people are expected to vote in next year’s elections, an increase of 1.4 million from 2010 presidential poll. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
