KIGALI: Rwanda’s National Electoral Commission announced on Tuesday that the country will conduct its presidential and parliamentary elections on July 15, 2024. President Paul Kagame, who has been in power for decades, is expected to seek a fourth term in office in the upcoming polls.
The 66-year-old leader has maintained a firm grip on the landlocked African nation, winning elections with over 90 percent of the vote in 2003, 2010, and 2017. In 2015, Kagame oversaw constitutional amendments allowing him to run for additional terms, potentially keeping him in power until 2034.
The only known challenger to Kagame so far is opposition Green Party leader Frank Habineza, who declared his candidacy in May. Campaigning for candidates will be permitted from June 22 to July 12, according to the election commission.
Alongside the presidential race, the commission announced that 24 women MPs, two youth representatives, and a representative for disabled Rwandans will be chosen by electoral colleges and committees on July 16.
Rwanda’s government decided to coordinate the dates for parliamentary and presidential elections earlier this year, with the aim of streamlining the electoral process.
Rwanda President Faces Criticism from Rights Groups
Kagame, who became president in April 2000 and has effectively led Rwanda, announced his intention to seek another term in September 2023. Despite claims of stability, Kagame faces criticism from rights groups, accusing him of suppressing dissent and free speech.
Ranked 131 out of 180 countries in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, Rwanda has faced scrutiny for its treatment of political opponents. In 2021, the well-known figure and Kagame critic Paul Rusesabagina was sentenced to 25 years in jail on terrorism charges, a move that drew international attention.
Kagame’s potential extension of his presidency sparked further discussion when he mentioned in July 2022 that he would “consider running for another 20 years.” Opposition figures argue that this extended rule could lead to a more restricted political environment in Rwanda.
