2024 Rwandan general election
General elections are due to be held in Rwanda in August 2024 to elect the president and members of the Chamber of Deputies, after the Rwandan government decided to synchronise parliamentary and presidential elections in March 2023.[1][2]
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Background
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.[3]
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.[4]
Electoral system
The President of Rwanda is elected in one round of voting by plurality.[5]
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.[6] 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),[6] two for representatives of youth and one for representatives of handicapped.[7]
Presidential candidates
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."[8]
2017 presidential candidate Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has also indicated he will run again in 2024.[9]
References
- "Rwanda: Kagame announces he will run for a fourth term". Africanews. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
In March, the Rwandan government decided to synchronise the dates of its legislative and presidential elections, due to take place in August 2024.
- "Rwanda President Kagame says he will run for fourth term in 2024 elections". France 24. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
The Rwandan government in March decided to synchronise the dates for its parliamentary and presidential elections, which are due to be held in August next year.
- 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
- Electoral system IPU
- Rwandans vote in parliamentary elections Al Jazeera, 16 September 2013
- "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.
- "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.
