President Kagame Submits Candidacy for Presidential Election
President Paul Kagame speaking at RPF Meeting
On Friday, President Kagame submitted his candidacy for the position of Head of State representing the FPR Inkotanyi. He was received by the President of the National Electoral Commission, Oda Gasinzigwa at the office of the Electoral Commission in Kigali. President Kagame was accompanied by First Lady Jeannette Kagame and the Secretary General of RPF Inkotanyi, Gasamagera Wellars.
During the submission, President Kagame was asked to provide a certificate issued by the RPF Inkotanyi showing that he has been nominated as a candidate for the presidential election.
He was also required to present a certificate proving his Rwandan citizenship of origin and a declaration affirming the authenticity of the documents provided. Additionally, he was asked to declare his assets, which he submitted in two copies – one to be retained by the National Electoral Commission and another stamped on each page and returned to him.
The NEC has recently announced an increase in the number of independent candidates.
To run for the position of President, candidates must meet specific criteria including being a Rwandan national by origin, having no other nationality, being morally sound, and not having civil and political rights revoked by the courts. They must also be at least 35 years old and present in Rwanda at the time of their candidacy. For MPs, candidates need to be 21 years old and hold citizenship.
The NEC has outlined a timeline for the electoral process, with nominations being accepted from May 17 to May 30, 2024. Approved candidates will be announced on June 14, 2024, and campaign activities will take place from June 22 to July 13, 2024. The list of voters will be published on June 29, 2024, with elections for Rwandans living abroad scheduled for July 14, and domestic elections on July 15, 2024.
On July 16, 2024, elections will be held for 24 women deputies, two representing youth, and one representing people with disabilities. Provisional election results are expected to be announced by July 20, 2024, with final results declared by July 27.
