In a report released Tuesday at the Secretariat in London, the Commonwealth team led by former OAU Secretary General, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, suggests the NEC be representative of different political blocks.
The team says though NEC writes on its website that the seven members who make up the Commission are drawn from “different political parties and civil society”, their political affiliations need to be indicated.
“It would be helpful for this to be clarified to ensure transparency and confidence,” reads in part the 116-page report.
“There are various models for the composition of an electoral management body, and they can comprise of independent, non-political figures or be broadly representative of political contestants depending upon what is felt to be most suitable in any given context. Whichever model is preferred it is important for the process to be clear and transparent.”
The Commonwealth is also calling for a review of the requirements which political groups need to be able to register as political parties. The current law prescribes the Ministry of Local Government as the place where parties are registered.
“It might be advisable for registration of political parties to be handled by an independent body, such as the NEC or a specially designated body, and for the procedures to be as inclusive as possible,” says the report.
Releasing the report in London, Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said the elections were peaceful and well-organised poll, but also expressed concerns regarding political participation and media freedoms.
“…the Commonwealth Secretariat stands ready to assist the Government of Rwanda to help further strengthen the democratic process and democratic institutions in the country,” said Sharma.
The 13-eminent persons’ observer group also raises concerns over the performance of the Media High Council. “Separate the roles of the Media High Council so that its focus on regulating the media does not overshadow its goal to promote media freedom,” says the report.
Under the August 2009 Media law, journalists must hold qualifications from a degree or certificate in journalism. Available figures show that of the estimated 400 journalists in the country, very few hold such qualifications.
The observer group says it was told there are only approximately 30 places available for students at the journalism schools per year in Rwanda. The law has also set a 2014 deadline for the qualification requirement to come into force – which critics say is not viable.
For the observers, this implies that it will be a challenge for all journalists around the country to meet the 2014 deadline to obtain the qualification.
The observers recommend a “review [of] the requirement that journalists must have attended a school of journalism to be registered”.
As for the overall conduct of the campaigns, the Commonwealth also raises questions over the financial resources of the political parties which were on the ballot. Only the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) declared it would spend some $2million on the polls. Despite coming under scrutiny to spell their finances, the PSD, PPC and PL refused.
“Consideration be given to the creation of a process of public disclosure of the breakdown of campaign spending and the sources of such funds,” recommends the Commonwealth report.