The final list of the parliamentary candidates was released yesterday by the Electoral Commission. Speaking shortly after announcing the final list at its offices in Kimihurura, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission Prof. Chrysologue Karangwa said there was a large number of people who were nominated to contest the parliamentary elections. He added that the big number indicated that the people of Rwanda are committed to the democratic process.

"Many Rwandans showed a willingness to participate in this democratic exercise,” the EC told journalists. The released list includes candidates from a coalition of political parties led by the Rwanda Patriotic Front (FPR).

The FPR-led coalition has the largest number of candidates totaling 80.

The Liberal Party (PL) has 62 candidates while the Social Democratic Party (PSD) has 64.

Karangwa revealed that two independent candidates submitted their papers to the EC but only one, Jean-Marie Vianney Harelimana, made it to the final list.

The other lacked enough people to nominate him in one district. Of the women representatives, Kigali area has 16 candidates, southern province 24, western province 26, Northern Province 23, and Eastern province 24.

22 youths will be contesting for the two youth seats while 14 candidates will contest for the single seat reserved for the disabled.

Karangwa said the election campaigns will officially begin tomorrow and end on September 13.

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