Three Presidential Aspirants Meet Requirements in Rwanda

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Summary:

• The provisional presidential candidates for the 2024 elections, scheduled for July, are incumbent President Paul Kagame of the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF Inkotanyi), Frank Habineza, Chairperson of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, and independent aspirant Philippe Mpayimana.

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RWANDA: The Rwanda National Electoral Commission (NEC) released a provisional list of presidential and parliamentary candidates on Thursday, June 6 with only three out of the nine presidential aspirants meeting the legal requirements.

The provisional presidential candidates for the 2024 elections, scheduled for July, are incumbent President Paul Kagame of the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF Inkotanyi), Frank Habineza, Chairperson of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, and independent aspirant Philippe Mpayimana.

NEC Chairperson Oda Gasinzigwa, announcing the list on Rwanda Television, stated that out of the nine presidential aspirants, only three qualified after screening. The disqualified aspirants are Herman Manirareba, Innocent Hakizimana, Fred Sekikubo Barafinda, Thomas Habimana, Diane Rwigara, and Jean Mbanda.

Aspirants with incomplete files can submit the missing documents by June 14, when the final list will be published. However, requirements related to registered voters supporting a candidate could not be completed after the May 30, 2024 deadline for submitting candidatures. Aspirants seeking further explanations can contact the National Electoral Commission.

For the parliamentary candidates, the commission approved lists from six political parties, while only one independent candidate met the requirements. In special categories, NEC provisionally approved 181 candidates for the 24 women seats, 23 candidates for the two youth representative seats, and seven candidates for the seat reserved for persons with disabilities.

NEC will announce the final list of candidates on June 14. Campaigns for both presidential and parliamentary candidates will begin on June 22 and end on July 13. Voting will take place from July 14 to 15.