Rwanda independents, polls body differ over signatures

Independent candidate Diane Rwigara in Kigali after announcing her intention to run for president. PHOTO | CYRIL NDEGEYA

Independent presidential hopefuls in the Rwandan election want the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to explain how a big number of the submitted signatures of their supporters were disqualified, denying them a place on the provisional list of candidates.

The NEC last week announced the provisional list of candidates, revealing that out of six submissions made, only the ruling RPF-Inkotanyi’s candidate President Paul Kagame and opposition Democratic Green Party of Rwanda’s Frank Habineza met the requirements.