Rwanda poll challenge rejected

Mr Twagiramungu say he will not pursue the case

A call by main opposition presidential candidate to annul Rwanda's first multiparty polls since the 1994 genocide, has been rejected by the country's Supreme Court.

The court told Faustin Twagiramungu that there was no evidence to back his claims of intimidation by ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front supporters and vote rigging in last month's election, in which incumbent President Paul Kagame worn 95% of the vote.

In his statement, Mr Twagiramungu, 58, told the court on Monday that although he did not wish to pursue the case, he was asking the court to register his protest against the results, which showed he had won only 3.5% of the vote.

European Union observers said that Rwanda's presidential election was "not entirely" free and fair, but it was "an important step in the democratic process".

'Free and Fair'

However, the South African observer mission said the election had been free and fair.

Kagame now has seven more years

Twelve of Mr Twagiramungu's supporters were arrested for allegedly planning to "co-ordinate acts of violence" in the provinces, but released after the elections.

Other opposition members accused the RPF government of exploiting fears of a return to ethnic conflict to stifle dissenting voices.

The vote was Rwanda's first democratic elections since the 1994 genocide in which 800,000 Tutsi minority and moderate Hutus were murdered by Hutu extremists.