By Hereward Holland
KIGALI (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of rural Rwandans raise their arms and sway in imitation of their beloved long-horn cows.
Music blares from speakers and President Paul Kagame, who is seeking re-election on Monday, bites his bottom lip and dances robotically on a raised platform, having delivered a rousing campaign speech promising good harvests and development.
The seemingly euphoric crowd, which officials estimate number 200,000, cheer "Tuzagutora" or "we will vote for you". In huge letters a sign suggests Kagame will secure 100 percent of the vote on August 9, more than the 95 percent he won in 2003.
In contrast, Kagame's registered rivals struggle to muster more than a thousand people at their rallies.
At one Liberal Party rally, which attracted 200-300 people, an official said the event was funded and organized by Kagame's ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).
She too would vote for the incumbent, the official added.
Analysts say Kagame, who runs a twitter feed, Flickr account and regularly turns speeches into podcasts, faces little competition because three outspoken would-be rivals were unable to run for the country's top seat.
In spite of their parties being dwarfed by the financial and organisational muscle of the RPF, Kagame's nominal contenders say they are optimistic and deny being "stooge" candidates from "satellite" parties.
"Sometimes the turnout was not as good as expected but it was good in some areas," PL leader and senate vice-president Prosper Higiro told Reuters.
"I don't think the votes are determined by the turnout of people in campaigning because in some areas it was market day or local authorities organised some other meetings," he said, a lone vuvuzela hooting in the background.
His supporters don't seem so confident and refuse to say whom they would vote for.
"There is no difference between the RPF and the PL because they have been in partnership since the genocide. There is no difference between their manifestos," said Canisius Sakindi, wearing a green PL hat and shirt.
"I don't have any criticism for the RPF because I am happy with the way they are leading the country. I will be proud if Kagame wins the election". Reuters Africa
