Kagame set to win by landslide

Early estimates after Rwanda's presidential election on Monday put incumbent leader Paul Kagame in the lead. He is expected to win a second term with a large majority. The result for Rwandans living overseas, who voted one day earlier, was almost 97 per cent in favour of Kagame.

Reuters

Partial results from 11 out of 30 regions gave Kagame 1.6 million out of 1.7 million votes cast, according to the electoral commission.

Tens of thousands of supporters of the president gathered in the capital's football stadium after polls closed in the afternoon.

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Election day in Rwanda, from our reporter

Daniel Singleton

The head of the electoral process, Chrysologue Karangwa said he was "very satisfied" with the vote.

Anil Gayan, the head of the AU observer group, applauded the peaceful conduct of the election.

"The electoral process went on very smoothly," he said. "Security was well maintained. With regard to the technical aspects of the process we have found nothing irregular and nothing to criticise."

Human rights groups say the electoral campaign was marked by repression and violence towards opposition parties.

The final result is expected to be announced on Tuesday afternoon.