The Forum for Political Organisations is scheduled this month to replace the deceased Senator Elie Mpayinama (RIP) who succumbed to stomach and kidney failures in October last year.

According to the law, vacant Senator or Member of Parliament’s seat is supposed to be filled in a period not more than ninety days which implies that late Mpayinama’s replacement should not exceed this month.

He was elected to the Senate by the Forum for Political Organisations in its second term in 2004, a post he held until his death.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Forum, Anicet Kayigema, an extraordinary session of the forum is scheduled in a week’s time to elect a replacement for Mpayimana. The forum brings together all political parties operating in the country.

Normally, the Senate or the Chamber of Deputies informs the organ that appointed or elected a member so that he or she can be replaced and it is in this sense that the Senate wrote to the forum on November 29, 2008 requesting for Mpayimana’s replacement.

"During the extra ordinary meeting, we will elect a replacement and after we will send the name to the Supreme Court for approval as the law states,” said Kayigema. According to Kayigema, the process is expected to be expedited to meet the 90 day deadline.

"We intend to have a replacement ready in a period of two weeks and after the Supreme Court finalises with the approval what will be remaining is the swearing in,” added Kayigema. 

Constitutionally, Senators have a single mandate of eight years; however according to the law, a replacement for any lawmaker only completes the mandate of his predecessor.

Mpayimana’s mandate was supposed to expire in 2012 meaning his replacement will only stay in the Senate for four years.

The Senate is composed of 26 seats of which four are elected by the Forum for Political Organisations, eight appointed by the President, two seats for the University representatives, with the remaining 12 being elected.

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