EU observers to release final report on September elections

The group of observers from the European Union who observed the parliamentary elections that took place in September last year is due to release their final report and recommendations today. This is subsequent to a preliminary report on the election that was released a day after the general elections that were held on September 15 into which report, the observers, who included members of the European Parliament applauded the election as having been free and fair. The over 100 observers were led by British Member of the European Parliament, (MEP) Michael Cashman, had appreciated the electoral process preparations that saw 80 parliamentarians voted into the house. In the general elections which saw 53 lawmakers representing different political organisations elected, the EU, like many other observers representing different organisation took note of the voter turnout. Over 95 percent of the registered voters turned up for the election that was held in the country and at different Rwandan missions abroad. “The first day of the voting was conducted peacefully and was well prepared. The elections saw significant improvements for candidates, notably guaranteeing the freedom of association and assembly at local level,” reads part of the EU preliminary report. The second parliamentary polls also saw Rwanda break the record of female representation in parliament at 56 percent and subsequently brought the first woman Speaker in the region after Rose Mukantabana was elected by fellow MPs-elect to head the August House. “There is a positive promotion of gender equality and the Mission also observed the election of the deputies for the 24 seats reserved for women,” said the preliminary report. The 24 women were elected through Electoral Colleges that were spread across the country. Other colleges that elected their representatives were youths and persons with disabilities who elected two and one member respectively. Apart from the EU, other observers came from the African Union, the East African Community and other multinational groupings and members of the Rwandan Civil Society. All the observers in their preliminary reports had said that the elections were peaceful and meticulously organised. However, the EU observers release the report after a three month delay despite having said in their earlier report that they would release the final one in a month’s time which should have been late October. Ends

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EU observers to release final report on September elections