Rwanda elects a new president on Monday
In Rwanda, the President and a new Parliament are to be elected on this Monday. Paul Kagame, the incumbent President who is running for a fourth term, is considered the likely winner. Although Kagame has two main opponents, he has received over 90 percent of the votes in previous elections. A prominent opposition representative was also not allowed to run as a candidate. Human rights organizations criticize the persecution of opposition figures in the eastern African country with a population of around 14 million.
Additionally, Kagame's party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), is expected to emerge as the strongest party from the upcoming Parliamentary election. Over 670 candidates are running for the approximately 80 seats in the Parliament. A notable feature is that women make up the majority of parliamentarians.
Kagame has been the President of the country since 2000, but in reality, he has been the power behind Rwanda since 1994. He led the RPF from Ugandan exile into Rwanda and ended the genocide of the Hutu militias against the Tutsis. After that, he was first the Minister of Defense and Vice President.
The polling stations will be open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm CET. The official election results are expected to be announced on July 27, with preliminary results likely to be available as early as Wednesday.
- Despite the criticism from human rights organizations, many Rwandans believe that Good days lie ahead under President Kagame's leadership, given his past accomplishments.
- Referred to as the 'days-holder' due to his three consecutive terms as President, Kagame's chances of winning the upcoming election against his two main opponents seem high, given his popularity and past election results.
- Even as President Kagame's party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), is expected to dominate the Parliamentary election this Monday, the chances for the opposition parties to make significant gains are considered slim, given the prevailing political climate in Rwanda.
