RWANDA, South Africa, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- About 5 million Rwandans were eligible to vote in Monday's presidential election, officials said.
Incumbent President Paul Kagame was expected to be re-elected in what is just the country's second election since its 1994 genocide, Radio France International said Monday.
About 1,400 election judges monitored the election, which some believe is rigged, RFI said.
The group Human Rights Watch said the Rwandan government represses free speech and restricts opposition candidates.
Three other candidates challenged Kagame: Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, Prosper Higiro and Alvera Mukabaramba. All three supported Kagame in an election in 2003.
"The candidates have been free to campaign," said Anil Gayenne, leader of the African Union. "If they have not been free, then they have not told us that."
Kagame has been in power since 1994. He won the 2003 presidential election with 95 per cent of the vote.
His Rwandan rebel army is credited with defeating the forces behind the genocide that killed about 800,000 Africans, RFI reported.
Preliminary results are due Wednesday; complete results by Aug. 17.
