Rwanda: President, 4 August 2017

At stake in this election:

• The office of the President of Rwanda

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000)
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Anastase MUREKEZI (since 24 July 2014)
• Assembly: Bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate (Senat) with 26 seats and the Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes) with 80 seats

Description of electoral system:

• The President is directly elected by a simple majority vote for a 7-year term and is eligible for a second 7-year term. Constitutional amendments approved in December 2016 reduced the presidential term from 7 to 5 years but included an exception that allowed President KAGAME to serve another 7-year term in 2017.

Last Election:

• The last presidential election in Rwanda occurred in 2010. President Paul KAGAME was reelected by an overwhelming majority, with over 93% of the vote.

Main candidates in the election:

• Paul KAGAME
  • Rwandan Patriotic Front / Front Patriotique Rwandais (FPR)
• Philippe MPAYIMANA
  • Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
• Frank HABINEZA
  • Independent

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 11,901,484
• Registered Voters: 6,897,076

Gender Data:

• Female Population: 5,950,742
• Is Rwanda a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (1 May 1980)
• Has Rwanda ratified CEDAW: Yes (2 March 1981)
• Gender Quota: Yes
• Female candidates in this election: No
• Number of Female Parliamentarians: 61
• Human Development Index Position: 159
• Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Medium

Disability Data:

• Is Rwanda a signatory to CRPD: No
• Has Rwanda ratified CRPD: Yes (15 December 2008)
• Population with a disability: 1,899,260