Rwanda is gearing up for its next Head of State and Members of Parliament (MPs) elections scheduled for 2024. The upcoming polls promise to be a significant milestone for the country, with many key developments paving the way for a historic electoral process.
Here are ten crucial details you need to know about the forthcoming elections:
1. Polling Dates and Representation:
The elections for the President of the Republic and 53 Deputies will be held on Monday, July 15, 2024, across the country. For the diaspora, polling will take place on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at designated locations. Additionally, specific electoral colleges will elect 24 female Deputies, while two Deputies will be elected by the National Youth Council and one by the National Council of Persons with Disabilities.
2. Allocation of Seats for Female MPs:
The 80-member lower chamber of the Rwanda Parliament includes 27 seats exclusively designated for women, youth, and people with disabilities. The allocation of these seats is based on the population of each Province and the City of Kigali.
3. Candidature Submission and Approval:
The period for the submission of candidatures is set from May 13 to 30, 2024. The National Electoral Commission (NEC) will publish provisional and final eligible candidacies in June 2024, marking a crucial stage in the electoral preparations.
4. Requirements for Independent Candidates:
Independent candidates are required to submit a list of at least 600 voters supporting their candidacy. This list should include a minimum of 12 persons from each district registered on the voters’ register.
5. Electoral Campaign Timeline:
The electoral campaigns for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections will begin on June 22, 2024, and conclude on July 12, 2014. Candidates for Deputies elected by specific organs will wrap up their campaigns on July 13, 2024.
6. Publication of Updated Voters’ Register:
The final voters’ register is expected to be published by June 25, 2024, ensuring transparency and accuracy in the electoral process.
7. Commemoration Period and Electoral Schedule:
The 2024 electoral period in Rwanda coincides with the 100-day commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. This sensitive period requires careful consideration to ensure the well-being of Genocide survivors amidst the electoral activities.
8. Deployment of Voluntary Polling Agents:
NEC plans to deploy between 60,000 and 70,000 voluntary polling agents to facilitate the smooth conduct of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
9. Announcement of Election Results:
Provisional election results are expected to be announced by July 20, 2024, followed by the proclamation of final results by July 27, 2024, signifying the culmination of the electoral process.
10. Ensuring Smooth Electoral Process and Commemoration Activities:
Amidst the electoral preparations, there is a call for caution to ensure that the electoral process proceeds seamlessly without undermining the significance of the Genocide commemoration activities.
As Rwanda prepares for the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, the country stands at the threshold of a pivotal moment in its democratic journey. The careful planning and execution of the electoral process will undoubtedly shape the future trajectory of the nation, reflecting its commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring the representation of diverse voices in governance.
