Rwanda’s election: NEC releases candidates’ provisional list

Rwanda’s National Electoral Commission has released the provisional list of candidates for the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Rwanda, slated for Sunday, July 14, to Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

In a statement communicated in Kinyarwanda, English, and French, made public by the commission on Thursday, June 6, 2024, the electoral body stated,“The provisional list of approved candidates has been published as follows: three candidates for the position of President of the Republic of Rwanda; six provisional lists from six political parties for the position of members of parliament; one independent parliamentary candidate; one hundred and eighty-one women parliamentary candidates; twenty-three youth parliamentary candidates, and seven parliamentary candidates representing persons with disabilities.”

Rwanda’s NEC further stated that the electoral body received and examined candidates as follows: for the position of President of the Republic of Rwanda, two candidates were nominated by political parties and seven were independent candidates.

For the positions of Members of Parliament, there were three hundred and ninety-two parliamentary candidates nominated by political parties, twenty-seven independent candidates, two hundred women parliamentary candidates, thirty-four youth parliamentary candidates, and thirteen parliamentary candidates representing persons with disabilities.

Ms. Oda Gasinzigwa, the Chairperson of the National Electoral Commission, is quoted as saying, “The level of participation in submitting candidate applications demonstrates the significant strides Rwanda has made in its democratic process. Young people are showing that not only are they ready to vote for the first time, but they want to put themselves forward for election and take on leadership positions. They are ready to play their part in helping us to continue our development journey.”

It was also stated that the final list of approved candidates will be announced on Friday, the 14th of June 2024, and the official commencement of the electoral campaigns will begin on Saturday, the 22nd of June 2024.

The provisional list of candidates for the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections was also announced by the Chairperson of the National Electoral Commission, Ms. Oda Gasinzigwa, on Thursday and broadcast on Rwanda Broadcasting Authority comprising Radio Rwanda and RTV respectively.