Rwanda's 2017 presidential elections to cost less

The 2017 presidential elections in Rwanda is projected to cost less than previous elections in 2010, according to the National Electoral Commission (NEC) top official.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, NEC Executive Secretary Charles Munyaneza said Rwf 5.5 billion (around 6.9 million U.S. dollars) has been set aside for the forthcoming elections scheduled for August next year.

"Next year presidential elections budget has reduced because we are catering for a few voting materials compared to 2010 presidential polls when we had to spend money on almost everything which pushed the budget to 8.7 million U.S. dollars," he noted.

Munyaneza explained the money will fund different activities that will be crucial during the election period, for instance trainings for specific categories of people like youth, women, media and people with disabilities as well as election awareness campaign materials.

According to the NEC, the government will fund at least 95 percent of the budget and the rest will come from development partners.

The election date is yet to be set through a Presidential Order, and it is expected to be known to the public before the end of the year.

NEC says that the presidential poll month is August 2017 according to Constitutional provisions. Previous elections were also held in August.

About 6.6 million Rwandans are currently registered as voters, an increase of 1.4 million from 2010 presidential elections. Voter registers will be updated in November and May 2017 while a final register will be issued in July 2017.

Rwanda President Paul Kagame is expected to seek a third term in 2017, after the approval of constitutional changes.

Kagame has been president since 2000, and was then elected in 2003 and 2010.

Source : XINHUA