STORY: Campaigns end as Rwanda readies for presidential, legislative elections
SHOOTING TIME: July 13, 2024
DATELINE: July 15, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:59
LOCATION: Kigali
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Paul Kagame campaigning
2. various of Philippe Mpayimana campaigning
3. various of Frank Habineza campaigning
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Kinyarwanda): PAUL KAGAME, President of ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): FRANK HABINEZA, Presidential candidate for Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): PHILIPPE MPAYIMANA, Independent presidential candidate

STORYLINE:

Campaigning ended in Rwanda on Saturday ahead of presidential and legislative elections.
   
Three presidential candidates are facing off, including incumbent President Paul Kagame of the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), Frank Habineza of the opposition Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate.

On Monday, polling will open at 7:00 a.m. local time and end at 3:00 p.m. for about 9.5 million eligible voters, according to the National Election Commission.

The electoral commission demarcated more than 2,500 polling stations throughout the country to ensure fair elections.
   
All the three candidates ended their campaigns with rallies in Kigali, the country's capital.
   
Kagame, who has been in office since 2000, ended his campaign in Kigali's Kicukiro District.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Kinyarwanda): PAUL KAGAME, President of ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front
"Regarding the elections happening the day after tomorrow, I consider it as done. That's why I speak about sustaining our security. That's why I speak about continuing our development path, and following our commendable path to good governance based on democratic choices."

The RPF politics is about ensuring the development of all Rwandans without leaving anyone behind, according to Kagame. 

RPF's manifesto for the next five years, unveiled earlier this year, will build on what has been achieved so far toward the country's national Vision 2050, which aims to achieve sustainable development and better quality of life for every Rwandan.
   
After his last rally in Kigali's Nyarugenge District, Habineza said this year's campaigns were different from those in 2017, attributable to an increased level of political maturity.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): FRANK HABINEZA, Presidential candidate for Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
"Where we have gone across the country, people received us quite well. We could see that there was a big difference from 2017. We had a few issues here and there, but overall, it was a very good reception this time around. And for the presidency, I'm hopeful we will win about 55 percent of the vote."

Mpayimana said he was also "very satisfied" with the reception during his campaign trail, adding that the population is yearning for change that he is ready to offer.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): PHILIPPE MPAYIMANA, Independent presidential candidate
"Democracy is gaining another step, and I am really satisfied."

Campaigns also ended for over 500 parliamentary candidates contesting for 80 seats in the lower chamber of parliament.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kigali.
(XHTV)