Election observers should be neutral and objective as they monitor parliamentary polls due to take place from September 2 to 4. The call was made Thursday by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) while briefing over 950 observers who have been accredited to assess election activities. They include 184 foreign observers. Over 7.1 million Rwandans have registered to vote for their representatives in parliament for a five-year-term. Although observers enjoy the right to unfettered access to electoral processes, there are basic rules that guide them, said Loyce Bamwine, a commissioner at NEC as she was presenting election observers’ code of ethics. “Election observers should maintain strict political impartiality during the observation period,” she reminded them.
Other guidelines that observers should adhere to, include refraining from announcing election results before their publication by NEC.
The National Electoral Commission stated that it is the observers’ responsibility to compile election reports, but, that such a practice should abide by governing by laws for it to benefit everyone.
The observers should also produce a report on their election assessment not later than 60 days after election has taken place.
Full Article: Observers urged to be impartial during elections | The New Times | Rwanda.
