By Enyichukwu Enemanna
National Electoral Commission says Rwandan nationals in Diaspora are free to participate in the country’s general election coming up July 15.
The Commission’s chairperson Oda Gasinzigwa told national television on Sunday that Rwandans abroad can cast their ballots for the presidential election and 53 members of parliament on July 14 at the country’s diplomatic missions in their respective countries of residence.
Also, voters resident in Rwanda will head to the polls on July 15.
According to Gasinzigwa, 9.7 million voters are eligible to vote in the elections across the country’s 30 districts and the diaspora.
The final update on the voter register ended on Saturday, which indicates that 3.7 million youth are eligible to vote.
“All Rwandans aged 18 years and above with national identification cards appear on the list. Voters will be required to present their national identification cards to polling officials to be allowed to vote unlike previously when a voter’s card was used,” Gasinzigwa noted.
The commission also announced that 2,591 polling stations have been demarcated to facilitate free fair election.
The election will be conducted over a three-day period between July 14 and 16.
On July 16, 24 female members of parliament will be elected by electoral colleges.
There are three candidates in the presidential race, including incumbent President Paul Kagame, Frank Habineza of the opposition Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate.
The electoral body also cleared over 500 parliamentary candidates vying for 80 seats in the lower chamber of parliament.
