Presidential campaigns begin today

KIGALI - Canvassing for votes for the forthcoming Presidential election kicks off today with all the four candidates meeting voters in several parts of the country. President Paul Kagame represents Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), Prosper Higiro, Liberal Party (PL), Dr Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Dr Alvera Mukabaramba of Party of Peace and Concord (PPC). Higiro and Ntawukuriryayo are new entrants in the presidential race. The campaigns are expected to begin with colourful rallies by all presidential candidates. RPF’s Chairman and presidential candidate will hold his first rally at Amahoro National Stadium. At the stadium, President Kagame, is expected to officially unveil his plan for the nation in the next seven years if he is re-elected. Liberal Party’s Higiro is will be addressing a rally in Kirehe and Ngoma districts of the Eastern Province. PSD will start its campaigns in the Southern Province while PPC will hold its first rally in Rwamagana District of the Eastern Province. Meanwhile, latest information from the National Electoral Commission (NEC) indicates that so far the voters’ list has 5,293,883 people although the official declaration of the final voters’ list and polling stations is scheduled for July 23. The printing of ballot papers is scheduled to end by 30, July 2010 while preparation of polling centres and stations will kick off on August 7th to 8th, 2010; the declaration of provisional and final election results to be done not later than August 11th and 17th, 2010 respectively. Ends