Rwanda kicks off campaigns ahead of July general elections

Political parties and independent candidates began a three-week campaign trail on Saturday as Rwanda prepared for its general elections set for July.

The campaigns will run until July 13, just one day before Rwandans in the diaspora vote for the head of state and 53 members of parliament. Rwandans in the country will cast their votes on July 15.

Incumbent President Paul Kagame, the flag-bearer of the ruling party Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF Inkotanyi), faces two challengers: Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate.

The RPF Inkotanyi, along with five coalition partners—the Centrist Democratic Party (PDC), Party for Democracy and Concord (PPC), Rwandese Labour Party (PSR), Prosperity and Solidarity Party (PSP), and Democratic Union of Rwandan Peoples (UDPR)—have submitted a list of 80 candidates for the parliamentary elections.

The Social Democratic Party (PSD), Rwanda's second-largest based on past election performance, has fielded 59 candidates for the parliamentary elections and has chosen to back Kagame for the presidency.

Overall, 589 candidates are vying for the 80 parliamentary seats in the Chamber of Deputies, according to the National Electoral Commission (NEC). More than half of these, 345, are from political organisations.

Other participating parties include the Liberal Party (PL) with 54 candidates, the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR-Green Party) with 50, the Ideal Democratic Party (PDI) with 55 candidates, and PS Imberakuri with 47.

Kagame launched his presidential campaign in Musanze District, in the northern province, on June 22.

"RPF is ready to participate in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. Our party's presidential candidate will proceed to other areas across the country after launching his campaign in Musanze District," Wellars Gasamagera, the party's secretary general, told a news conference in Kigali, the capital, regarding preparations for the elections.

WATCH: As early as 1AM last night, several hundreds of supporters of ruling party RPF-Inkotanyi had arrived at today’s campaign site in Busogo, Musanze, and noticeably chanting morale hymns.

Campaigns for the July presidential and parliamentary elections kick off today. pic.twitter.com/HziQV5Rn8L

— The New Times (Rwanda) (@NewTimesRwanda) June 22, 2024

Habineza began his campaign in the Gasabo District, while Mpayimana addressed his inaugural rally in Kirehe District.

Janvier Nsengiyumva, the sole independent candidate for the parliamentary elections, kicked off his campaign in the Muhanga District. The PSD launched its campaign in Bugesera District, the DGPR-Green Party in Gasabo District, and PS Imberakuri in Kirehe District.

On June 23, the Liberal Party will start its campaign at Kigali Pelé Stadium in Nyarugenge District, while the Ideal Democratic Party will start campaigning on June 26, according to their respective agendas.

Apart from the DGPR-Green Party and PS Imberakuri, the other parties are also supporting Kagame's re-election bid in the July 2024 presidential polls.

For candidates competing for 27 seats reserved for representatives of special interest groups in Parliament's Lower House, the NEC has set specific campaign dates.

Leaders to fill the 24 seats for women, two for youth, and one for people with disabilities will be elected on July 16.

The campaigns for female candidates will begin on June 25 and close on July 5, while campaigns for candidates representing the youth and people with disabilities will start on July 2 and close on July 12, according to the NEC.

Candidates from these special interest groups will campaign before their electoral colleges, composed of members of the executive committees of their respective national councils.