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Political parties and independent candidates launched their campaign trails on Saturday, June 22, marking the beginning of a three-week period leading up to Rwanda’s upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections next month.
These campaigns, scheduled from June 22 to July 13, precede the voting on July 15 for Rwandans within the country, while those in the diaspora cast their votes for the Head of State and 53 Members of Parliament on July 14.
President Paul Kagame, running under the banner of the ruling party Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF Inkotanyi), faces competition from Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana.
RPF Inkotanyi and its coalition partners, consisting of five political parties, submitted a list of 80 candidates for parliamentary elections. The Social Democratic Party (PSD), Rwanda’s second-largest party, has put forward 59 candidates and supports Kagame’s candidacy for the presidency.
In total, 589 candidates are competing for the 80 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, with more than half nominated by political organizations. Additional parties fielding candidates include the Liberal Party (PL), Ideal Democratic Party (PDI), and PS Imberakuri.
Campaign activities commenced across various districts, with Kagame launching his presidential bid in Musanze District, Habineza in Gasabo District, and Mpayimana in Kirehe District. Independent candidate Janvier Nsengiyumva initiated his campaign in Muhanga District.
For parliamentary elections, PSD, DGPR-Green Party, and PS Imberakuri began their campaigns in Bugesera, Gasabo, and Kirehe Districts, respectively. Other parties, including PL and PDI, are scheduled to start their campaigns in subsequent days.
The electoral process also includes 27 seats reserved for representatives of special interest groups, such as women, youth, and people with disabilities, whose campaigns are scheduled on specific dates set by the National Electoral Commission (NEC).
