SOUTHERN PROVINCE HUYE — Youth and women parliamentary candidates in Huye, presented their campaign manifestos for the September 16 polls last week. At the Groupe Scolaire’s main hall, 24 women candidates were given an opportunity to present their manifestos before electoral colleges in the district. The Electoral College is composed of members of women councils at the sector, district and provincial levels. Other voters include district councillors. Their manifestos focus on improving social welfare, fighting genocide ideology and encouraging women to join cooperatives. Once elected, the candidates pledged to advocate for the women’s cause. Jean de Dieu Rutatika, the head of the National Electoral Commission in the province, warned candidates against bribing voters. “We urge you to conduct a fair campaign, inform local authorities whenever you intend to conduct campaign meetings and avoid using derogatory remarks against your opponents,” Rutatika told the candidates. Out of the 24 candidates from the Province, only six will make it to parliament after the September 16 elections. The campaigns were witnessed by the National Electoral Commission Vice president, Fatuma Harerimana. Meanwhile, at the district headquarters, 22 people vying for the youth parliamentary seat also presented their manifestos before their electoral college composed of Youth committees from districts, secondary schools and higher institutions of learning. They pledged to create jobs for youth by encouraging private entrepreneurship, fighting HIV/Aids and genocide ideology. The candidates are expected to traverse the whole country on a campaign trail organised by the National Electoral Commission. According to Harerimana,, the commission decided to facilitate all the candidates by organising campaign sessions in all districts. Ends
