More than 90% of local candidates in Rwanda applied online
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Rwanda Dispatch
Rwanda’s local elections began on 24 October, while more than 90% of candidates for district councils submitted their applications online. The National Electoral Commission plans to publish provisional and final lists on 26 and 30 October, according to its chair, Oda Gasinzigwa.
More than 90% of candidates for seats on district councils in Rwanda submitted their applications online for the 2026 local elections, National Electoral Commission (NEC) chair Oda Gasinzigwa announced on Friday 23 October, according to Rwanda Dispatch. More than 1,000 people are standing in the country’s 30 districts.
The candidate application period ran from 10 to 21 October. The NEC is due to publish a provisional list of eligible candidates on 26 October, followed by the final list on 30 October. Approved candidates will campaign from 7 to 21 November ahead of the district council elections.
Voting began on Saturday 24 October at village level, where voters choose, among others, members of executive committees and representatives of local governance structures. District councils will have 17 members: five women representatives, eight councillors elected by universal suffrage and four representatives of interest groups, including young people, people with disabilities and the private sector.
This phase follows the launch of local elections on 24 October, announced on 23 October. It also builds on the mobilisation of women presented ahead of the local elections on 22 October.
