Inspector General of Police (IGP), Emmanuel K. Gasana has said that the force is more than prepared to ensure presidential elections are conducted in peaceful and secure environment.
He said that he has put in place different measures to tightly maintain the security of Rwandans and foreigners at all time, and the whole electoral process in particular.
Gasana appealed to the press and the general population in general to avoid reporting rumors intended to undermine peace and security of the campaigns and elections.
The IGP was speaking at the Police-Media interaction session, held at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters in Kacyiru.
In attendance was Justice Minister Johnston Busingye, who officiated the event and said that to ensure safety, free and fair forthcoming presidential elections, all concerned entities should share information on anything that might derail the process.
The Minister, who also serves as the Attorney General, was speaking, yesterday, at the Police-Media interaction session, held at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters in Kacyiru.
The session was a conclusion of a regional tour where similar sessions were conducted under the theme: “Strengthening Partnership for Quality Services Delivery.”
Its main purpose was to discuss and draw collective measures to serve the interests of the public.
The meeting was also attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Emmanuel K. Gasana, Deputy IGP in charge of Operations, Dan Munyuza; the Executive Secretary of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Charles Munyaneza; the Executive Secretary of Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), Emmanuel Mugisha; members of the press and other senior police officers.
Minister Busingye commended RNP for organizing the Police-media interaction sessions, and called for more collaboration to ensure presidential campaigns and elections are conducted in a safe and secure environment.
“The election preparations are meant to ensure that rights of everyone are fully respected, and security maintained through collaborative efforts among all actors including the general public,” Minister Busingye said.
He said the partnership between Police, media and NEC is very essential. “It illustrates the overall picture of the required security in the country particularly during election campaigns period.”
“In the last 23 years, elections have been conducted in a smooth, calm and peaceful manner. We expect this same spirit,” the minister said.
He commended professionalism the media in Rwanda continue to exhibit, and challenged them to maintain and build on it.
While reacting on foreign press that continue to paint Rwanda’s media as weak, the Minister said, “This is wrong; today we have the most professional media that is diverse, well informed, and serving the interest of the people.”
“We live in times of dynamism, political maturity, optimism and hope for all,” he added.
On his part, the NEC Executive Secretary, Charles Munyaneza, urged media to refrain from creating anxiety.
“The media has a responsibility to inform citizens about elections and campaigns; however, this has to be done in a more professional manner and in accordance with the law,” Munyaneza said.
The Executive Secretary of RMC, Emmanuel Mugisha, also urged journalists to be sensitive to avoid stories fueling hatred and violence during the presidential campaigns and elections.
He also reminded them to have identification with them at all times whenever they are covering elections.
