Ntawuriryayo and Minister Kamanzi in Kalongi (Photo: Gaaki Kigambo)
PSD is the second biggest party, in terms of seats the 80-member Lower Chamber of Deputes, and its candidate in the race, Ntawukuriryayo Jean Damascene, is seen as the most formidable challenge against incumbent and Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) flag bearer Paul Kagame.
On Monday, election officials from the Eastern Province districts, where every presidential candidate has so far campaigned, expressed their displeasure to NEC President Prof. Chrysologue Karangwa at a meeting he had convened in Rwamagana District (Eastern Province) to review the campaign progress.
Almost all officials in attendance took turns to indicate that everything was going as planned, except for PSD’s tactics. One female official complained that PSD was wasting too much of their time as they have not been able to keep to the schedules.
A male official accused PSD of distributing campaign photos, posters and fliers randomly and at all times – even when they have no rallies planned.
Another female official claimed the PSD campaign team was posting campaign materials like photos and posters on people’s houses – and that the owners often complained that they do not want candidates to put such material on their homes.
PSD also stands accused of distributing campaign materials in market places where they are not holding rallies. It was also claimed that PSD people were giving posters and photos to school children – asking them to take them to their parents.
Articles 33 and 34 of the election laws governing the August 09 presidential poll detail what can be done during campaigns and what is forbidden. They include using state resources, putting campaign materials on places that are not allowed (these places however are not specified), supplying money, and basing campaign messages on any forms of divisionism.
In total, there are twelve issues outlined under these two Articles that constitute acts that are forbidden.
But PSD’s campaign manager – who is also Environment minister, Stanislaus Kamanzi, told RNA they hadn’t received any official complaints from the NEC or any of their officials about their conduct during campaigns.
Nonetheless, he added, in response to what the party has heard reported about them in the media, that the new regulations from the ministry of local government, which oversees the campaigns, don’t deter them from putting their images anywhere for as long as they don’t interfere with anyone’s rights.
He said other materials are distributed to people who come to rallies and there’s no way to tell all of them where they can or can’t take those materials. Some PSD rallies have been attended by a considerable number of school going children.
When RNA contacted Charles Munyaneza, the Executive Secretary of the Electoral Commission, he said he wasn’t aware of any complaints raised against PSD, adding from what information he has regarding how the party have conducted their campaigns so far, he, and the Commission, were pleased. He couldn’t comment on allegations that have not reached his desk.