Rwanda ’ s incumbent leader Paul Kagame has sealed a crushing victory in presidential elections that granted him a third term in office , extending his 17 years in power .
Kagame has won international plaudits for presiding over a peaceful and rapid economic recovery in the Central African nation since the 1994 genocide , when an estimated 800, 000 people Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed .
But he has also faced mounting censure for what critics and rights groups say are widespread human rights abuses, a muzzling of independent media and suppression of political opposition .
With 80 per cent of votes accounted for , the 59- year -old former guerrilla leader secured 98. 66 percent, the National Electoral Commission’ s Executive secretary Charles Munyaneza told a news conference.
“ We expect that even if we get 100 percent of votes, there will not be any change, ” he said .
The board expected turnout to top 90 per cent in the East African country of 12 million citizens once full details emerged, in elections that fielded only a single opposition candidate, Frank Habineza , and an independent.
Kagame, who cast his vote in Kigali’ s Rugunga polling station earlier on Friday, said he would work to sustain economic growth in the tiny nation .
“ This is another seven years to take care of issues that affect Rwandans and ensure that we become real Rwandans who are ( economically ) developing, ” he said in a speech broadcast live on television .
Under his rule , some dissidents were killed after they fled abroad , in cases that remain unsolved . The government denies any involvement.
Kagame, a commander who led Tutsi rebel forces into Rwanda to end the 1994 genocide , banned the use of tribal terms after becoming president .
He won the last election in 2010 with 93 per cent of the vote and during this campaign for a further seven -year term, said he expected an outright victory.
Habineza , who has so far won 0. 45 percent of the early count , had promised to set up a tribunal to retry dissidents whose convictions by Rwandan courts have been criticized as politically motivated .
Another would -be opponent , Diane Rwigara , was disqualified by the election board despite her insistence that she met all the requirements to run .
“ To me I see this as a one- man race . I simply did not go to vote, ” said one man in Kigali who asked not to be named.
