By FDU Committee

FDU Committee has issued a press release denouncing irregularities in Rwandan presidential elections.

We Stand Against Voting Irregularities in Rwandan Elections Today

Yesterday 8th August 2010, in many areas of the north and west of Rwanda such as Busasamana, Cyanzarwe, Bugeshi Kanzenze and Nyabihu, the population had their voting cards seized by local authority. They were ordered to show up and collect their cards at poll stations as early as 4 o’clock in the morning. At the poll station, their voting cards were returned to them with “VOTED” stamp mark already on.

Forced Attendance and Night Voting

In areas such as Kivumu, Rusizi and Nyabihu, people were waken up at 1 am and were taken by force to poll stations. Kivumu voters remained at the poll station under surveillance of the local National Election Commission representative, Mr. Philbert Uwimana and started voting at 4 am.

In Gitaba at Kabaya poll station, voting was conducted at night with no voting privacy. The local NEC team headed by Mr. Mbirinde simply stamped voting cards and returned them to voters who then were allowed to return home.

Arbitrary Arrests

Rusizi Police Station arrested local FDU Party Representative to prevent him from resisting or reporting voting irregularities. He was released 9th August in the morning.

In Rusizi, district of Gasebeya, Supervisor of Baveya local poll station, Marie Chantal Mukamutega ordered the arrest of Mr. Fulgence Ngirabareze of Nyakabuye who voted for Presidential Candidate Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo. Fulgence was arrested at poll station by the local Police, was taken in custody at an undisclosed location.

By FDU Committee