Polls open in Rwanda, Kagame looks on course for third presidential term

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‍Polls have opened in Rwanda, where up to seven million people are expected to vote in the African nation’s third presidential election since the 1994 genocide.

Incumbent President Paul Kagame, the man credited with halting the slaughter that killed an estimated 800,000 people 23 years ago, is expected able to fend off two challengers and take a third seven-year term.

Incumbent Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the closing rally of the presidential campaign in Kigali, on August 2, 2017. /AFP Photo

The 59-year-old Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) candidate is facing Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana.

The result of the election is not thought to be in doubt, given the profile and background of Kagame and the lack of traction gained by his rival candidates.While tens of thousands have turned out to hear Kagame speak, Habineza and Mpayimana have struggled to attract more than a few hundred to their rallies.

Kagame’s record

In 1994, aged 36, Kagame led his rebel army to defeat extremist Hutu forces that slaughtered hundreds of thousands of minority Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda.

Paul Kagame, the then Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front commander, on July 5, 1994. /AFP Photo

Kagame was appointed Rwanda’s president in 2000, having served as vice-president and defense minister. He was first elected to the post in 2003 with 93 percent of the vote and again in 2010 with 95 percent.

In 2015, 98 percent of Rwandans approved a constitutional amendment that ended a two-term limit and granted Kagame the right to run for presidency for a third time.

Supporters of incumbent President Paul Kagame carry a large photograph of him during the campaign's closing rally in Kigali, on August 2, 2017. /AFP Photo

Rwanda has stabilized under Presidency Kagame and enjoyed significant economic growth, while infrastructure development has been substantial.

The World Bank says the country has achieved high growth, rapid poverty reduction and reduced inequality. Annual GDP growth average of around eight percent was recorded between 2001 and 2015.

Allegations of repression and politically-motivated violence have tempered the success story, however.

Opposition candidates

Habineza and Mpayimana are the only candidates to stand against Kagame, after three other hopefuls were ruled out.

Rwandan independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana in Shyrongi, north of Kigali, on July 29, 2017. /AFP Photo

None of the contenders are women, despite the country hosting the highest proportion of female lawmakers in the world, of 61 percent. AFP reports that one potential serious challenger, Diane Rwigara, was barred from running after controversy over the number of supporting signatures she had received.

Supporters carry placards and flags during a campaign rally for the presidential candidate of Rwanda's Democratic Green Party, Frank Habineza, on August 1, 2017 in Burera. /AFP Photo

Both Habineza and Mpayimana have complained about the limited time given to fundraise and campaign, according to AFP, which critics see as evidence of a clampdown on the opposition.

Results expected today

Rwanda’s National Election Committee (NEC) has said up to 70 percent of preliminary results will be released before midnight on Friday.

The NEC has set up 2,340 polling centers and 16,691 polling rooms across the country, where over 6.8 million people will cast ballots.

Armed Rwandan police officers (L) are reflected in the window of a polling station on August 3, 2017 in Kigali. /AFP Photo

More than 1,000 election observers from the European Union, East African Community, African Union, members of the diplomatic missions accredited to Rwanda, and Rwanda civil society organizations, among others, will observe the election.

Friday’s election is one of four across Africa over the next three months, with Kenya and Angola also going to the polls this month and Liberia holding a presidential contest in October.

(With input from agencies)

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