Politics
08:01, 21-Jul-2017
Rwanda to hold first ever presidential debates
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Rwandan presidential candidates will for the first time in the history of the country's elections appear in a live television debate ahead of August 4 polls, said the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of the country on Wednesday.
The three candidates, incumbent President Paul Kagame of the ruling party Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate, will face off next week, in the much-anticipated television debate, NEC’s executive secretary Charles Munyaneza told Xinhua news agency in a telephone interview.
He said the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency and NEC are currently organizing the live presidential debate.
Frank Habineza, leader of the Democratic Green Party, a Rwandan opposition group, speaking during a political bureau in Kigali, when he was appointed candidate for the next presidential election in August 2017. /VCG Photo
Frank Habineza, leader of the Democratic Green Party, a Rwandan opposition group, speaking during a political bureau in Kigali, when he was appointed candidate for the next presidential election in August 2017. /VCG Photo
“We are organizing the live presidential debate for aspiring candidates which will take place sometime next week. We shall confirm the day, time and venue in due course. The event will give voters an easy platform to listen to the presidential candidates and then judge for themselves ahead of the polls,” he said.
He also said that more than 1,000 election observers from European Union, East African Community (EAC), African Union, members of the diplomatic missions accredited to Rwanda, and local civil society organizations, among others, have already been confirmed to participate in the August presidential election.
File: Rwandan Philippe Mpayimana, speaks to the media during his first press conference in February 4, 2017 in Kigali, Rwanda. /VCG Photo
File: Rwandan Philippe Mpayimana, speaks to the media during his first press conference in February 4, 2017 in Kigali, Rwanda. /VCG Photo
EAC is set to send a team of 27 election observers, headed by former Kenyan Vice President Moody Awori, to monitor presidential elections in Rwanda due on August 4, EAC’s Deputy Secretary General in Charge of Political Federation Charles Njoroge told journalists in Kigali on Wednesday.
Njoroge who was in Rwanda for a previous election said the election mood is conducive compared to other countries where violence mars the electoral period.
About 6.8 million will participate in the election from 5.7 million who took part in 2010 presidential elections, according to NEC.
(Source: Xinhua)
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