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KIGALI, July 17 (Xinhua) — International election observers on July 17 expressed their appreciation for Rwanda’s “peaceful electoral environment” and meticulous election management in the recently concluded general election.
Observers from the East African Community (EAC), the African Union (AU), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Economic Community of Central African States and other organizations read out a joint statement at a press conference in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, expressing appreciation for Rwanda’s electoral process.
The observers, who interacted with key stakeholders and observed the campaigning, voting, and vote counting processes, noted that “the electoral, political and security environment in the Republic of Rwanda has been calm and peaceful before, during and immediately after the elections.”
The statement noted that they also appreciated the hard work of the Rwanda National Electoral Commission and other institutions responsible for managing the electoral process in accordance with the electoral calendar.
“The election process was conducted in a calm and peaceful environment, and candidates were able to conduct their campaigns freely,” David Malaga, former chief justice of Kenya and head of the East African Community election observation mission, said at a press conference.
Jorge Carlos de Almeida Fonseca, former President of Cape Verde and head of the AU-COMESA joint election observation mission, expressed appreciation for Rwanda’s practice of financing its own elections, using cost-effective equipment and setting up polling stations in hospitals and other places.
Fonseca also pointed out that people with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers were given priority during the voting process.
He added: “All polling stations we visited had adequate security personnel who acted professionally and without obstruction.”
Fonseca praised Rwanda’s election and voting culture as “a patriotic duty that promotes tolerance and cohesion by combining the electoral process with national colours, culture and music”.
Rwanda’s National Electoral Commission released partial results of Rwanda’s presidential election on Tuesday, with incumbent President Paul Kagame of the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front leading with 99.15% of the votes in Monday’s presidential election, while Frank Habineza of the Rwanda Democratic Green Party and independent candidate Philip Mpayimana received 0.53% and 0.32% of the votes respectively.
According to the National Electoral Commission, partial results were based on 79.84% of votes cast, with provisional and final results expected on July 20 and 27, respectively. Turnout was reported at 98%, with more than 9 million Rwandans participating in the elections.
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