Rwanda Decides 2024: 13 important facts and figures to note

Rwanda will be going to the polls on the 15th of July to decide who they want to lead them for the next five years. Voters will be electing a president and members of parliament this year’s election.

While the country gears up for this important vote which would likely hand President Paul Kagame a fourth term, here are some key facts and figures to note:

1.      For the first time, Rwanda will hold its parliamentary and presidential elections together. This adjustment is estimated to reduce the general elections budget from RWf 14 billion to RWf 8.1billion.

2.      There are three candidates for the Presidency: Paul Kagame of the RPF-Inkotanyi, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and Philippe Mpayimana, who is an independent candidate

3.      Up to 589 candidates are vying for 80 seats in the Chamber of Deputies.

4.      According to the electoral data from the National Electoral Commission (NEC), more than 9 million voters will be participating in the general elections.

5.      Out of the 9 million voters casting their ballot, 2 million are first time voters and 77,138 will vote in the diaspora.

6.      There are about 2,600 polling stations, including 160 stations set up for Rwandans abroad.

7. Voting in the diaspora will happen in 70 countries across the world and will be supervised by 44 diplomatic missions.

8.      Rwandans in the diaspora will commence voting on the 14th of July whilst the local electorate will vote on the 15th of July.

9.      Representatives of special groups (women, youth and people with disabilities) will be elected by the electoral colleges on the 16th of July.

10.      Unlike other countries where polling station agents are paid and fed by the state, Rwanda does the opposite. This year’s election is no exception as more than 100,000 volunteers are expected to help facilitate the general election in the various districts.

11.  The candidate who emerges victorious will serve a 5-year term instead of 7 years due to a 2015 constitutional amendment.

12.  Polling stations in the country will open at 7AM on Monday July 15 and close at 3PM in the presidential and parliamentary elections.

13.  Incumbent Paul Kagame has won the previous elections with close to 99% votes of the cast.

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