Provisional results show Rwanda's Kagame winning election with 7m votes

From Kigali, Rwanda

Provisional presidential results indicate that President Paul Kagame, the incumbent and candidate for the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), has won the election with 7,099,810 votes which translates to 99 per cent of total votes cast.

This announcement was made by National Electoral Commission chairperson Oda Gasinzigwa on Monday evening, hours after the polls closed in Rwanda.

Kagame's opponent, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR), received 38,301 votes.

Independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana garnered 22,753 votes.

Provisional results show that Rwanda President Paul Kagame is on course to win his fourth consecutive term. (Photo: Handout)

The National Electoral Commission had, earlier on, said that about nine million people registered to vote, with at least two million being first-time voters.

Counting began on Monday evening after polling stations were closed, and provisional results may be announced by Tuesday morning.

Rwandans also elected 53 members of the lower House of Parliament and will choose 27 other MPs on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

Meanwhile, Kagame has continued to win by a landslide, having garnered over 93 per cent of votes cast in the last three elections.

A landslide victory of 99.15 per cent in this year's election demonstrates the Rwandese people's strong trust in Kagame to continue advancing economic reforms and maintaining national stability.

On Monday, Rwandans began lining up as early as 7 am to cast their ballots. Many voters expressed their excitement about participating in the democratic process, with some stating their desire for a leader who could meet the population's needs, while others supported Kagame for the progress they had witnessed during his administration.

Kagame, who cast his vote at 1.30 p.m. at a voting centre in Kigali, reiterated his commitment to building Rwanda towards prosperity, emphasizing that his priorities would remain unchanged.

Facing Kagame were two other candidates: Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana. Habineza secured 0.53 per cent of the vote, while Mpayimana garnered 0.32 per cent.

Voters queue before casting their ballots at a polling centre during the presidential election in Kigali, Rwanda July 15, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Jean Bizimana)

This was Mpayimana's second attempt at the presidency, with his campaign focusing on developing agriculture, transportation, fishing, and other industries. Despite his low vote count, Mpayimana's initiatives received significant media coverage.

Habineza, who also contested against Kagame in the last election, conceded defeat to the incumbent President after partial results released by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) on Monday night showed that Kagame was leading with 99.15 per cent of the votes cast.

"Dear Rwandans, in the past moment we have received the preliminary results released by the NEC. We want to communicate that we have accepted them and congratulate the winner HE Paul Kagame,” Habineza said, speaking to the media at the Olympic Hotel in Kimironko, Kigali from where he was waiting for the results.

The election saw a registered voter turnout of about 9 million out of Rwanda's 14 million population, an increase of 2 million from the previous election, according to NEC.

The process was observed by over 300 international and 700 local observers, ensuring transparency.

Analysts attribute Kagame's victory to his successful efforts in steering Rwanda towards internal peace and stability since the 1994 genocide, where an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by Hutu extremists. At 66, Kagame's leadership continues to shape the future of this East African nation.

Rwandans cast ballots for parliamentary representatives alongside the presidential election, with a total of 598 candidates competing for the 80 available seats.

Initial results for the parliamentary elections are anticipated to be announced on Tuesday, June 16.