Summary:
- Rose Kabagyeni, the NRM flag bearer, cast her vote at Gikoro Primary School at 11:20 a.m.
KISORO: The by-election for the Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament has commenced, but voter turnout was slow despite polling stations opening on time.
The district has a total of 322 polling stations, and almost all opened promptly at 7:00 a.m. with election materials, polling officials, observers, and candidate agents in place. However, by 9:30 a.m., only a few voters had shown up, leaving polling officials largely idle.
At Gikoro Primary School Polling Station in Nyakabande Sub County, only 21 out of 582 registered voters had cast their ballots by 10:01 a.m. According to Presiding Officer Mogard Turikumukiza, the first vote was cast at exactly 8:40 a.m.
At Saaza A Playground Polling Station in Central Division, Kisoro Municipality, only 21 out of 453 registered voters had voted by 9:22 a.m. Presiding Officer Brandina Tumukunde confirmed the first ballot was cast at 7:42 a.m.
Similarly, at Saza B Playground Polling Station, out of 548 registered voters, only 41 had voted by 9:34 a.m., with the first vote cast at 8:06 a.m. In Kisoro Main Village, where there are 556 registered voters, only 142 ballots had been cast by 12:19 p.m., with the first voter arriving at 7:30 a.m.
Rose Kabagyeni, the NRM flag bearer, cast her vote at Gikoro Primary School at 11:20 a.m. She observed that many residents, being farmers, likely started their day in their fields. Kabagyeni urged registered voters to cast their ballots early to avoid last-minute delays. She was accompanied by Lydia Wanyoto, Chairperson of the NRM Women’s League, who commended the election process so far, calling on Kisoro residents to remain calm and peaceful until the end of the voting period.
Independent candidate Grace Ngabirano Akifezi, accompanied by her husband Michael Ngabirano, cast her vote at Nombe Primary School Polling Station in Rubuguri Sub County, Bukimbiri County, at 11:20 a.m. She noted that the voting process was proceeding smoothly and expressed confidence in winning by a large margin.
CUE IN AKIFEZA…..ON VOTING……RR/ENG//
A total of six candidates are competing in today’s Kisoro Woman MP By-election, held to fill the seat left vacant by the late Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, who passed away in September. The candidates include NRM’s Rose Kabagyeni, Independent candidate Grace Ngabirano Akifeeza, Salim Sultana (NUP), Aisha Cyimpaye (PPP), Juliet Musanase (FDC), and Mable Ingabire (UPC).
