2024 Rwandan general election
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General elections are due to be held in Rwanda on 15 July 2024 to elect the president and members of the Chamber of Deputies.[3][4]
Background[edit]
A referendum in 2015 approved constitutional amendments that allow incumbent President Paul Kagame to run for a third term in office in 2017, as well as shortening presidential terms from seven to five years, although the latter change would not come into effect until 2024.[5]
In 2022 Kagame told a French television channel that he intends to run for president again in the 2024 election, despite having already served three terms in office.[6]
Electoral system[edit]
The President of Rwanda is elected in one round of voting by plurality.[7]
The 80-seat Chamber of Deputies is elected by two methods: 53 seats are directly elected by closed list proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency with an electoral threshold of 5%; seats are allocated using the largest remainder method.[8] The remaining 27 seats are indirectly elected by local and national councils, including 24 reserved for women (six from Eastern, Southern, and Western provinces, 4 from Northern Province and 2 from Kigali),[8] two for representatives of youth and one for representatives of handicapped.[9]
For the 2024 election, campaigning will be held from 22 June to 12 July.[10]
Presidential candidates[edit]
Kagame announced his bid for a historic fourth term on 20 September 2023 in an interview with the pan-African Jeune Afrique magazine, saying "I am happy with the confidence that the Rwandans have shown in me. I will always serve them, as much when I can. Yes, I am indeed a candidate."[11] Member parties of Rwanda's ruling government coalition, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) endorsed Kagame's campaign including the Ideal Democratic Party, the Democratic Union of the Rwandan People, the Prosperity and Solidarity Party, and the Rwandan Socialist Party.[12] Kagame’s candidacy was finalized by the RPF without objections at the end of its congress on 9 March 2024.[10] He was also endorsed by the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party on 31 March.[13]
2017 presidential candidate Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has also indicated he will run again in 2024.[2]
Political activist Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza said that her United Democratic Forces party would challenge Kagame if registered in time.[14] She said in 2023 that while recognizing Kagame's achievements while President, his greatest achievement would be stepping aside to let a peaceful transfer of power take place.[15] However, Ingabire had previously been disqualified from running after being convicted on charges of threatening state security and downplaying the Rwandan Genocide. On 13 March 2024, her appeal to be allowed to stand for office was dismissed by a court.[16]
References[edit]
- ^ AfricaNews (2023-12-13). "Rwanda: presidential election set for July 15, 2024". Africanews. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
- ^ a b "Rwanda: Kagame announces he will run for a fourth term". Africanews. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
The only other candidate so far in the presidential race is lawmaker Frank Habineza of the Green Democratic party. He said he was not surprised by Kagame's announcement and would continue to fight for democracy.
- ^ "Rwanda to hold presidential, parliamentary polls in July 2024". The EastAfrican. 2023-12-12. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
- ^ "Rwanda sets 15 July 2024 election date for presidential, legislative polls". North Africa Post. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
- ^ "Paul Kagame's third term: Rwanda referendum on 18 December". BBC News. 9 December 2015.
- ^ "Paul Kagame to seek fourth term as president of Rwanda". BBC News. 9 July 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ "Rwanda". IFES Election Guide.
- ^ a b "Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union.
- ^ "Rwandans vote in parliamentary elections". Al Jazeera. 16 September 2013.
- ^ a b "Rwanda's ruling party again chooses Kagame as presidential candidate". France 24. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Rwanda's veteran president Kagame to seek re-election in 2024". Reuters. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
I am happy with the confidence that the Rwandans have shown in me. I will always serve them, as much when I can. Yes, I am indeed a candidate.
- ^ Gahigi, Moses (7 October 2023). "Four small parties back Kagame's 2024 presidential bid". The EastAfrican. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
- ^ "Rwanda: Kagame endorsed as candidate by seven political parties". Africanews. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Elmendorp, Ruud (30 October 2019). "Rwanda Opposition Figure Presses On Against Political Odds". Voice of America. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza (21 November 2023). "Why President Kagame Should Not Run for a Fourth Term". The Elephant. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
Therefore, while recognising with gratitude the achievements that he has made over the past three decades, Kagame's greatest achievement yet would be to step away from power at the end of his term in 2024. In so doing, Kagame will have paved the way for better leadership in Rwanda and opened the door to future generations of Rwandans aspiring to become leaders in Rwanda.
- ^ "Victoire Ingabire: Rwandan opposition leader barred from election". BBC. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
