Kagame speaks out on referendum

President Kagame casting his vote during the nationwide referendum on the new constitution.

President Paul Kagame this morning cast his vote in a referendum aimed at endorsing a revised constitution.  The president dipped his thumb in ink and pressed on the ballot paper to exercise his civic right, voting.

Accompanied by the First Lady Jeannette Kagame and their daughter Ange Kagame, at Rugunga polling station, about a mile from their home.

Just after voting, the Kagame spoke to the media. As the media sought for his take on the exercise and what he hoped for. ” You go and ask Rwandans why they are doing this”, he said and added that,” What is happening is people’s choice”.

Polling assistant checks through the voters register as First Lady waits

Over four million Rwandan voters early this year petitioned for amendment of the 2003 constitution to lift a limit on presidential terms. The constitution allowed only two 7-year nonrenewable terms for a president.

The petitioners want to have President Kagame continue ruling owing to his success in overseeing transformation of the country.

However, Journalists also asked President Kagame whether he was grooming successor and he answered…”You want to apply?”

Probed further whether he will engage in the forthcoming presidential elections, Kagame said, “I don’t know, we will see when time comes.”

The unrelenting journalists inquired, if he was be run again and what he will offer Rwandans if voted? He said…”look at the records, we can build from that and know”.

On his future plans for Rwandans, Kagame told reporters that; “what future do they have for themselves. Not me holding their future.  They have future in their own hands.”

President Kagame had in the past weeks promised that after referendum results he would officially announce whether he will vie for the 2017 presidential elections.

His answer to the question on the matter …”Any time.”

Kagame speaking to the press after casting his vote on the new constitution referendum