Rwanda’s ruling party has officially selected President Paul Kagame as its candidate for the upcoming July election, setting the stage for what is widely anticipated to be his fourth consecutive seven-year term in office.
The 66-year-old leader, who has maintained a firm grip on power for decades, has previously secured victories in the presidential elections of 2003, 2010, and 2017, often with over 90 percent of the vote.
Kagame’s candidacy was uncontested during the recent Rwandan Patriotic Front congress, confirming his status as the party’s undisputed choice.
Although opposition Green Party leader Frank Habineza is expected to challenge Kagame in the upcoming polls, his previous performance in the 2017 election, where he secured only 0.45 percent of the vote, suggests an uphill battle against the incumbent.
Another potential contender, Victoire Ingabire of the unregistered Dalfa Umurunzi movement, faces legal obstacles to her candidacy due to a prior conviction. A court ruling on her eligibility to run is expected on March 13.
Scheduled for July 15, Rwanda will hold simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections, a decision made by the government last year. Following the elections, on July 16, electoral colleges and committees will select twenty-four women MPs, two youth representatives, and a representative for disabled Rwandans.
Campaigning for candidates will be permitted from June 22 until July 12, as outlined in the election calendar.
Despite Rwanda’s reputation for stability, human rights organizations have criticized Kagame’s administration for allegedly maintaining a climate of fear that suppresses dissent and restricts freedom of speech.
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