Rwandans have begun voting in a constitutional referendum which could allow incumbent president, Paul Kagame, to extend his rule until 2034. Around 37,000 Rwandan expatriates are eligible to take part in the poll, while 6.4 million people in the country have registered to vote.
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Rwanda’s upper house of parliament unanimously approved the constitutional amendment to allow Kagame to seek a third term.
Mr Kagame would be able to run again in 2017 after his second mandate ends if the changes are passed as expected.
The pro-government The New Times newspaper, based in the capital, Kigali, said in an editorial Thursday that it expects the referendum result will be in favour of the changes. He was then elected as President of Rwanda in 2000, and has held that post till now (attaining victory in elections both in 2003 and 2010).
Rwanda’s current charter limits the president to two seven-year terms; the change would permit Kagame to compete for a third time in elections scheduled for 2017.
In response to criticism, Kagame has said that “other nations” should not interfere with the country’s internal affairs, or his people’s wishes.
He is seen by many as the man who stopped the genocide that caused the death of at least 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 1994. Asked at the polling station if he would stay on, he told reporters: “What is happening is the people’s choice”. “Kagame wants to stay in power… he can have what he wants”, he said.
Despite Mr Kagame’s success in delivering economic and social change, rights groups accuse the government of stifling the media and political opposition, a charge it denies.
“We decided not to go to vote because we know the results already, so we should not waste our time”, said a young Rwandan in Uganda.
The United States and the European Union have come out against the move to amend the country’s Constitution, which they say is meant to secure the incumbent’s longevity in power.
“This is normal because the president has done a lot: he has brought us peace, and thanks to him some in the village have cows”.
Munyaneza also has said by phone that the final outcome will be announced early Monday.
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda said it was not given the opportunity to campaign.
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Western countries refrained from issuing their usual panicked anti-travel advisories ahead of the referendum day, as indeed all preparations are on course and an entirely peaceful conduct of the vote is expected by the Rwandan people.
