Rwanda President Paul Kagame has said he does not want to be president for life. Speaking soon after casting his vote in the referendum that is expected to endorse amendments to allow him to stand for re-election for a third term, Mr Kagame said its Rwandans who want him back.
Responding to a question as to whether he wants to rule indefinitely, Mr Kagame said. "I don't want. Ask Rwandans who are asking me why they want me."
Asked to say when his answer to the demands will come, Mr Kagame replied, "Let's see that when times comes." On what he hopes to do for Rwanda when he is re-elected, the president said: "Look at the record and decide for yourself." When asked whether he is grooming a successor, Mr Kagame jokingly replied: "do you want to apply."
Kagame arrived at the polling station at 11:20am in company of his wife Jeannette Nyiramongi Kagame and daughter Ange Kagame. He walked straight into the room where a booth was set up for him to vote. He was received by the chairman of the National Electoral commission.
Voting is underway in Rwanda in a referendum that is expected to endorse constitutional amendments including the suspension of term limits to allow President Paul Kagame to stand again.
Polling opened at 7:00am and long queues of Rwandans eager to cast their vote were seen at most polling stations around the capital Kigali. President Kagame is expected to cast his vote in Gasabo district where a galaxy of international media has gathered to witness.
At Rugando cell, in Kimihura sector in Gasabo district most voters Daily Monitor talked to were enthusiastic. Damitien Habygumisha, 24, said voting in the referendum was good for him as he got a chance to his preferred candidate. To him, like many Rwandans, voting in the referendum was the only way to ensure Mr Kagame remains president for the next seven year after his constitutional mandate expires in 2017.
"It will improve on our lives and development," he said.
32-year old Charlotte Mukantireganya said he was happy she practicied her constitutional right. "That right means voting for the old man (Kagame) to continue being president," she said.
Alexis Munyangabire, the returning officer for Ruganda centre said the exercise was going on well. The center housed at Ruganda groupe school has 4343 registered voters with eight polling stations. "People have come in large numbers to vote as you can see," he commented.
As Rwandans, voted, army and police patrolled the streets to ensure the exercise was peaceful.
The Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) Prof. Mbanda Kalisa said that results will be released tonight at 11:00pm. A total of 6.4 million Rwandans are participating in the referendum. 40,000 of these are Rwandans living overseas and cast their vote a day before on Thursday at various 32 embassies, excluding Burundi where there is political violence.
Final results will be announced on Monday.
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