Rwanda: The Support Committee for UDF-INKINGI requests the postponement of the 2010 Presidential elections in Rwanda

By Eugene Ndahayo
UDF-INKINGI Support Committee
President
May 15, 2010

The Support Committee for UDF-Inkingi walks hand in hand with the internal opposition to claim for the postponement of presidential elections scheduled for August 2010. It is convinced that organizing elections without the participation of the opposition political parties would simply suffer from credibility and legitimacy inasmuch as the regime is missing an opportunity to measure its real audience within the population by shying away meaningful competition.

So far, indeed, because of administrative hindrances and barricades present at every level of civil administration, UDF-Inkingi has neither been allowed to hold the constitutional congress nor to legally register as a political party. UDF-Inkingi Chairperson, Ms. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA, designated candidate since last September 2009 to compete for the highest office cannot therefore stand in as a presidential candidate. Much worse, she is a prey of baseless judicial inquiries and politically motivated trials.

Two other parties, namely the Green party and the Ps-Imberakuri are also at a standstill. The first, in much the same way as UDF-INKINGI, could not hold its constitutional congress. The second, officially registered, is now torn up by internal divisions orchestrated by the regime in order to eject its natural leader Mr Bernard Ntaganda and outlaw his eligibility in the looming presidential elections.

The election postponement can also be accounted for in terms of the calculated delay in the promulgation of legal provisions and regulations to guarantee the political level playing field, the legality, equity and fairness of the poll. The infamous announced new electoral code bill disappeared in some government drawers. The single coloured national electoral commission is more the ruling party’s rigging body than anything national. Independent international observers in charge of insuring elections legality and transparency are not yet visible in Rwanda.

Consequently, due to visible non-preparedness of the elections as well as to excessive obstacles set forth by the regime to thwart the opposition, the Support Committee for UDF-INKINGI urges the President of Rwanda and his government :

1. to open up the political space and allow the opposition participation

2. to enact necessary measures to level the playing ground and guarantee legal, free and fair elections

3. to postpone August 2010 presidential polls

4. To set a consensus ground with the opposition and other national or international stakeholders for the sake of the legitimacy of the poll.

For the UDF-INKINGI Support Committee

Eugene Ndahayo,

President.