August 26, 2003	Tuesday	Jumadi-us-Sani 27, 1424

KIGALI, Aug 25: Rwandans voted on Monday in their first election since a 1994 genocide in which hundreds of thousands were killed, with incumbent Paul Kagame widely expected to beat two rivals to remain president.

As counting began at polling stations in the central African country of eight million, international observers said voting appeared to have gone smoothly in the presidential ballot.

Electoral officials said initial indications showed a high turnout, and Kagame told reporters he hoped provisional results would be known later on Monday.

International observers said initial impressions showed polling was well organized and peaceful, although a European Union observer raised concerns about allegations of intimidation of opposition supporters during the election campaign.

“Many (non-governmental organizations) and opposition candidates protested about the climate of intimidation during the election campaign with reports of people disappearing or being arrested without charge,” Nelly Maes said in a statement. “Against this backdrop, it is difficult to speak of truly democratic elections,” she said.—Reuters