Police, religion and Senate on elections

Yesterday, Rwandans elected their legislators. The New Times spoke to some prominent people in government institutions, civil society and religious spheres in order to get their views on the elections. The acting Commissioner General of Police Mary Gahonzire, revealed that the Parliamentary elections that kicked off yesterday morning were characterised by order. “The elections were conducted in an orderly and calm manner. The young were giving way to the old and community members collaborated well with the authorities which brought sanity to the process,” said Gahonzire. When she was asked about the impact of a successful and meaningful parliamentary election to the police as an institution, the Police boss said that the parliament being where laws are passed was sensitive to the police whose work is to enforce the set laws. “The police and parliamentarians often work together. We exchange views with them, share with them challenges we face in law enforcement and they act as our voices. So electing a competent and good House helps us,” she explained. Gahonzire expressed gratitude to the outgoing house, saying that they had a good working relationship. During a phone interview, the Mufti of the Moslem community in Rwanda, Sheik Saleh Harerimana, he described the first part of elections as a wedding characterized by harmony, calmness and celebration. “It took me only five minutes to vote. The process was highly calm and everyone was happy and ready to volunteer at the polling station,” said Harerimana. When asked whether elections are in line with God’s ways, he quoted from the Quran that God tells people that if it was not for a certain group of people to be chosen to guide and lead others, they would all be destroyed. “According to our faith, we are supposed to elect our leaders and the Quran tells us to obey God who initiated leadership, our parents and our leaders,” explained the Mufti. The Vice President of the Senate, Prosper Higiro, said that at the Remera polling station where he voted from, the process went smoothly. He said that electing competent and prudent parliamentarians speeds up the process of law making, which eases work for the Senate. “Voting competent and prudent Parliamentarians into the House facilitates rationalisation and good judgment which speeds up the law making process, which also eases work for the Upper Chamber,” explained Higiro. Ends

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Police, religion and Senate on elections